In the latest episode of an ongoing saga, the collapse of Thailand’s State Audit Office (SAO) building has taken a dramatic twist, unveiling yet another failure linked to Xin Ke Yuan Steel, a Chinese manufacturer already under scrutiny. On April 23, 2025, Industry Minister Akanat Promphan confirmed the troubling news. This fresh revelation follows extensive testing by the Iron and Steel Institute of Thailand (ISIT), casting a long shadow over the use of substandard materials in crucial infrastructure projects.
The scandal dances around the infamous SD40T 20-millimeter steel bar, which was put to the test after being salvaged from the rubble of the collapsed building on April 11. Unfortunately, it miserably failed the mass-per-meter standard test, echoing earlier dismal results. This particular steel product was cast with induction furnace (IF) technology—a method that has carried a rather unsavory reputation for its fluctuating quality, akin to a game of chance. The revelations mark the second crucial failure for the steel from Xin Ke Yuan, amplifying concerns within industry circles.
As curiosity reaches a fever pitch, it’s not just a legal matter at hand. Pictures featured in The Nation showed investigators and officials in a flurry of activity, working tirelessly to untangle the details of this multifaceted controversy. Minister Akanat, unflinching in his commitment to transparency, announced that these damning test results would be forwarded to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), tasked with piecing together the broader narrative behind the building’s collapse. However, he was quick to clarify that this recent failure is distinct from the previous debacle that had unfolded with the earlier batch of steel tested on March 31.
With a sense of steely resolve, Akanat drives home the point: “A fail is a fail, a pass is a pass.” This phrase now rings throughout the corridors of ISIT, where testing meticulously adheres to Thai Industrial Standards Institute’s (TISI) benchmarks. There is an unexpected twist of irony in this unfolding drama—not every sample from Xin Ke Yuan came up short. A robust 32-millimeter bar, once scorned for not meeting yield strength benchmarks, surprisingly passed this time, leaving experts and onlookers scratching their heads in disbelief.
This unfolding drama is more than just another steel story; it’s a clarion call to breathe scrutiny into those elusive “zero-coin industries”—entities accused of cutting corners and casting away public safety as collateral. Minister Akanat pulls no punches in his pursuit to corner these malefactors. Over the last seven months, officials have swooped in, seizing a hefty 384.4 million baht worth of inferior IF steel meant to bolster Thai infrastructure. This victory, however, seems but a momentary relief amidst the storm brewing around IF technology itself. It now faces the formidable challenge of possibly seeing its certification standards revoked in future Industrial Product Council discussions.
At the crux of this steel saga lies a country pondering its own safety and standards, with construction quality under intense scrutinization. As buildings reach for the clouds, unsettling questions about the bedrock of such structures remain. Who sits at the drawing board, drafting the very foundations of Thailand? With scandals such as this, transparency and accountability are no longer mere aspirations but necessities.
For now, as the steel beams are analyzed and pens poised over documents, the ripple effects of this saga are felt far and wide. The industry press shakes with news on diverse fronts—from calls for an inclusive job market for Thailand’s seasoned workforce to charity events raising funds for earthquake victims far afield. Meanwhile, on the home front, quirky local news stories continue their flow alongside this headline-grabbing drama, painting a vivid, multifaceted picture of a nation standing at the crossroads of industry, responsibility, and progress.
I can’t believe the government allowed such poor quality steel to be used. This shows a clear failure in the regulatory system.
It’s more than just regulation. The lack of transparency from these companies is a major issue.
Absolutely, but the government needs to enforce policies better to prevent such tragedies.
But should the government really be overly involved in every aspect of industry?
What did you expect from foreign manufacturing undercutting local companies? This was bound to happen.
How did they even approve steel that doesn’t meet basic standards? Someone’s definitely profiting from this.
Corruption and greed. It’s always about lining pockets rather than building safely.
I suspect the testing itself might have been compromised.
Why isn’t anyone talking about the accountability of the builders? They should have known the steel was dodgy.
Builders often rely on supplier certifications. It’s not totally on them.
Still, they should double-check their materials, knowing the risks of IF technology.
Anyone else worried about how many more buildings are out there with this sketchy steel?
For sure! This is just the tip of the iceberg. The whole industry might be compromised.
Exactly, and that’s terrifying. Who’s ensuring our buildings are safe?
It’s the price we pay for fast construction and cheaper materials.
I think the focus should also be on alternative technologies. IF might not be sustainable in the long run.
It just baffles me that some steel passed and some failed. Why isn’t there a standard process?
It’s the inconsistency in the IF technology. That’s a known issue but hasn’t been regulated enough.
IF technology should be banned! There are better ways to manufacture steel that have proven reliability.
But banning it won’t eliminate the steel issue entirely. Better oversight is key.
True, but continuing to use faulty methods endangers lives.
I think it’s suspicious that one batch passed and another didn’t. Could tampering be involved?
In my experience, these ‘zero-coin industries’ always find a way to cut corners and save costs, even at the risk of safety.
Someone needs to be held accountable. This is more than a scandal—it’s a potential manslaughter case.
Such strong words, but you’re not wrong. The lack of action is shameful.
Isn’t it time for a complete overhaul of the construction industry standards in Thailand? This can’t go on.
Yes, but how do you propose we do that without crippling the industry?
The ripple effects of this scandal are going to be felt for years, especially on public trust.
Imagine the insurance premiums for buildings now—this incident is a game changer for the market.
The premiums will surely go up, but it’s necessary after such a breach of trust.
Thailand’s faced with tough choices: quality versus cost. Perhaps this will push for better priorities.