A series of earthquakes struck Myanmar yesterday (28th), accompanied by multiple aftershocks. The disaster caused severe damage not only in Myanmar but also in neighboring Thailand. In Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, a new 2.1 billion baht building of Thailand’s Office of the Auditor General collapsed. It was later revealed that this building was contracted to China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group, a subsidiary of China Railway Group Limited.
When interviewed, Bangkok’s mayor stated that the cause of the collapse remains unclear and awaits investigation results.
According to reports, this building was China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group’s first overseas high-rise project, with a 33-story main office tower. In April last year, when the main structure was completed, China Railway No. 10 issued a press release “celebrating the topping-out ceremony.” Chinese netizens discovered that after the building’s collapse, this celebratory article was quietly deleted.
When asked why only this building collapsed among many under construction in Bangkok, Mayor Chadchart candidly replied, “That’s a good question.” He added that much could be learned from this earthquake incident, but the exact cause of the collapse remains unclear pending detailed investigation results.
Chinese media Phoenix Network reported that the building has been confirmed as completely collapsed. Construction began in 2020 but was temporarily suspended due to the pandemic. Before the collapse, construction progress was approximately 30% complete.
A Pattern of Substandard Construction
This incident is not isolated but appears to be part of a concerning pattern of quality issues in overseas projects undertaken by State-owned enterprises of China. Engineering and construction experts have repeatedly raised alarms about the standards employed in these projects, particularly in developing nations where regulatory oversight may be less stringent.
In 2019, a Chinese-built hydroelectric dam in Laos showed significant cracks shortly after completion, raising serious safety concerns for downstream communities. Similarly, in 2018, a bridge constructed by a Chinese state-owned company in Kenya collapsed during construction, resulting in multiple injuries and significant project delays.
Cutting Corners for Profit
Industry analysts suggest that these quality issues stem from systemic problems within China’s state-owned construction sector. Companies often secure contracts by underbidding competitors, then attempt to maintain profit margins by cutting corners on materials, safety measures, and quality control.
A former engineer who worked on several Chinese overseas projects spoke anonymously to international media, stating: “There’s immense pressure to complete projects under budget and ahead of schedule. This often leads to compromises in construction quality and safety standards that would never be acceptable in more developed markets.”
Lack of Accountability
When problems arise, these companies frequently avoid accountability through complex contractual arrangements and by leveraging diplomatic relationships between China and host countries. Local officials in recipient countries are sometimes reluctant to criticize these projects due to broader economic and political considerations.
The Bangkok building collapse raises serious questions about the due diligence process that led to awarding the contract to China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group, especially for a government building of such importance.
International Response
International engineering associations have called for greater transparency and adherence to global construction standards in projects funded through China’s Belt and Road Initiative and other overseas ventures by state-owned enterprises of China.
As investigations into the Bangkok collapse continue, this incident may serve as a catalyst for stricter oversight of foreign construction companies operating in Thailand and potentially across Southeast Asia.