It seemed like any other bustling day in the Phan Thong district of Chon Buri province, but as the sun beamed down on Friday, a dramatic incident unfolded at a factory building, sending ripples throughout the community and raising eyebrows amongst industry experts. As investigators combed through the debris of the partially collapsed structure, a familiar name glinted amongst the rubble. Steel bars branded “Sky” were once again at the heart of controversy.
As Industry Minister Akanat Promphan highlighted through social media, these steel bars were produced by Xin Ke Yuan Steel Co., a company with a checkered past. The situation was more than just a misfortune—it was a pattern. The same brand had been implicated in an earlier structural failure of a government building in Bangkok—a collapse that had left in its wake questions about accountability and safety standards.
The Phan Thong collapse wasn’t as catastrophic as some might fear, but it was a stark reminder of the construction sector’s vulnerabilities. As walls came crumbling down from the second floor, one woman found herself injured amid the chaos, and a total of seven vehicles bore the brunt of fallen masonry. The sight was one of chaos, interspersed with the discordant chorus of emergency services rushing to the scene.
Digging deeper into the disaster, Minister Akanat’s post revealed that both 20-millimetre deformed steel bars and their 9mm round counterparts were at the core of the build. Both types were part of Xin Ke Yuan’s manufacture, a detail now under the microscope as investigators piece together the sequence of events leading to this unfortunate incident.
The building was not exactly a fledgling operation, having been leased by Cosmo Manufacturing (Thailand) Co Ltd from stakeholders at Amata Summit Ready Built Co Ltd for a little over three years. Surely, those involved in its leasing and operation had expected such fundamental components as strength and longevity from the steel in their framework.
However, Xin Ke Yuan’s history told a different story. Established in 2011, the company is primarily owned by nine industrious Chinese nationals with an 80% share. Their ambition was commendable, but revelations about the steel bars cast a long shadow: these very bars also posed a significant flaw in the architecture in the grander State Audit Office (SAO) building in Chatuchak, Bangkok. That structure had not withstood nature’s test, succumbing to the tremors of a 7.7 magnitude earthquake originating in Myanmar, only further complicating the narrative of quality assurance in construction practices.
The intrigue deepens as authorities and industry experts weigh the implications of such recurring incidents. Responsibility and the need for stringent inspection top current debates, as construction and safety standards face renewed scrutiny, not just in Chon Buri and Bangkok, but in building sites across the nation. The story unfolding is one of cautionary tales, structural integrity, and the undeniable truth that sometimes, what’s unseen beneath the surface is of utmost importance.
This scandal with Xin Ke Yuan Steel bars is exactly why we need stricter building codes and inspections everywhere!
Totally agree! But will it change? Industries like this seem to operate in a ‘don’t care’ mode unless something catastrophic happens.
You’re right, Nina. Reactive policies are no substitution for proactive regulation. The government should be on top of this!
Why does everything involve a scandal with some supplier from China? We should just build our own materials!
Can anyone really verify these steel bars were the cause? Sounds like people need a scapegoat.
It’s already happened twice! How many more ‘coincidences’ do there need to be before we take action?
I get that, but we can’t just point fingers without evidence. Buildings might not have been checked right either.
Was there an engineer or architect that certified these materials? They should be held accountable.
This is terrifying! Imagine being an employee not knowing if the roof over your head could just collapse. Safety should be prioritized.
Absolutely. It’s a wonder people aren’t protesting en masse. It’s their lives at risk after all.
And what’s worse—these situations often occur in nations or communities where safety concerns are dismissed for profit.
The government needs to shut this company down until a full investigation is done.
We need to look deeper into the approval process for foreign materials. Does cost always override quality?
With how tight budgets are for companies, I’m not surprised cost often wins. But that should never compromise safety!
Something has to be done before these events become everyday news. The authorities are as much to blame for not enforcing quality checks.
Honestly, it feels like the fault lies in the regulatory bodies as much as these companies. Everyone’s cutting corners.
Regulation is hard when money talks and companies push back. But surely human life should matter more?
Why did they even use those bars after the Bangkok collapse? Makes you wonder about decision-makers and their priorities.
The real question is how often this occurs and goes unreported. Small-scale incidents likely happen without making headlines.
Exactly! How many lives risked just because it’s not on the news doesn’t mean it’s not happening.
We might just be seeing the tip of the iceberg here. Transparency is crucial.
If they can’t guarantee safety, they shouldn’t be allowed to operate. It’s common sense!
Why isn’t the international community stepping in? If this keeps up, people will lose trust in global trade.
After these incidents, no one will want to work or live in buildings made from Xin Ke Yuan steel. Terrible reputation now.
It’s a shame that corruption and lax standards often precede calamity. We learn lessons too late.
Maybe importing standards from countries with rigorous building codes could help? Might be one way to improve.
Manufacturing errors happen, but recurring negligence should leave companies facing severe penalties.
It boils down to respect for human life vs profit. Sad that so many just chase the latter.
Why aren’t the CEOs being questioned or jailed? Holding top management accountable could be a game changer.
Construction is complex, sure. But ignoring systemic problems because they’re difficult to tackle isn’t the solution.