• A Chinese executive has been arrested following the collapse of a Bangkok skyscraper.
• The construction disaster, which occurred during a 7.7-magnitude earthquake, resulted in 47 deaths.
• Authorities are investigating possible nominee shareholding and the use of substandard materials in construction.

Thai authorities arrested a Chinese executive, Zhang Chuanling, connected with a construction firm involved in the recent collapse of a 30-storey skyscraper in Bangkok during a 7.7-magnitude earthquake. The incident, which took place on March 28, has led to the deaths of 47 individuals at the site, with another 47 still missing. Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong stated that a Thai court issued arrest warrants for Zhang and three Thai nationals for breaching the Foreign Business Act, which restricts foreign ownership in local businesses to 49% Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has drawn up extensive inquiries into China Railway No. 10 (Thailand) Co, a joint venture partner with Italian-Thai Development Plc in the project. Investigators suspect that the three Thai nationals were acting as nominees for Zhang, allowing him to violate ownership laws designed to protect local competitiveness. This discovery adds complexity to the ongoing investigation into various safety violations, including the allegedly substandard steel used in construction Bangkok Post and Anadolu Agency.

In recent developments, investigators have highlighted potential irregularities linked to the steel supplied by Xin Ke Yuan Steel Co, which allegedly did not meet safety standards. With ongoing scrutiny over construction practices and contractor responsibilities, both the state-run China Railway and the involved Thai companies face mounting pressure for accountability following the disaster. The DSI is particularly focused on claims of forged documentation associated with construction permits South China Morning Post and India Times.

The ongoing rescue efforts have revealed alarming statistics, with 51 bodies recovered from the rubble, while 43 workers remain unaccounted for. The incident has raised significant concerns regarding construction safety practices in Thailand, prompting demands for stricter enforcement of regulations in the sector Bangkok Post and Bangkok Post.