# Thailand reevaluates China’s Belt and Road projects after earthquake-induced damages in Bangkok

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/china/207438-thailand-reevaluates-chinas-belt-and-road-projects-after-earthquake-induced-damages-in-bangkok
- Published: 2025-04-08T15:02:12+07:00
- Author: Vivian Wei

**Thailand is scrutinizing China’s Belt and Road projects after an earthquake caused
a skyscraper’s collapse, revealing alleged substandard materials, resulting in fatalities
and raising concerns about safety and corruption.**

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## Key Points

 * China’s Belt and Road Initiative is under scrutiny in Thailand after a 30-story
   skyscraper in Bangkok collapsed due to a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar.
   The disaster revealed substandard materials, resulting in the deaths of 15 workers
   and 72 missing. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra called for an investigation
   into the incident.
 * Investigative agencies discovered two types of steel reinforcing bars in the 
   rubble, which failed quality tests. The construction involved China’s Railway
   No. 10 Engineering Group and Thailand’s ITD, which faced criticism for inadequate
   oversight. The public is raising concerns over corruption and the construction
   industry’s safety standards.
 * Economists project that Thailand’s economy could suffer losses exceeding $1 billion
   due to the earthquake. At least 30 other high-rise buildings were declared uninhabitable.
   The incident highlights the tensions between the U.S. and China regarding influence
   over Thailand’s infrastructure and investment landscape.

A recent disaster linked to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has ignited scrutiny
over construction standards in Thailand following the collapse of a skyscraper under
construction in Bangkok, triggered by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar, nearly
1,000 kilometers away. **The building, a 30-floor structure, was the only one to
fail in the lightly damaged Thai capital, collapsing due to allegedly substandard
steel reinforcing rods**, which led to the fatalities of 15 construction workers
and left 72 others unaccounted for.

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Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra reacted with shock, calling for a thorough
investigation into the incident, especially given the extensive budget allocation
and prior deadline extensions for the project. Compounding concerns were scenes 
of **Chinese workers scurrying away with construction documents shortly after the
quake**, sparking police intervention. Investigators discovered two types of steel
rebars in the debris, with subsequent tests revealing they did not meet required
safety standards. **Reports indicated a brand associated with a Chinese company,
raising fears about the integrity of materials used.**

This incident exacerbates existing anxieties among the **Thai populace regarding
China’s growing influence in Thailand**, particularly as the earthquake resulted
in an estimated economic impact exceeding $1 billion across sectors including tourism
and construction. Criticism also emerged about Thailand’s building regulations and
anti-corruption mechanisms, especially as the collapsed building was the new headquarters
of the State Audit Office, tasked with preventing corruption in government projects.

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The construction project was a collaboration between C**hina Railway No. 10 Engineering
Group and the Thailand-based Italian-Thai Development Company**. Investigations 
have since expanded to examine other projects tied to these companies, as concern
grows over construction standards in China-funded endeavors under BRI. As calls 
for accountability mount, Thai authorities stress the necessity of prioritizing 
safety in all future construction initiatives.

The scrutiny has also sparked broader discussions about the need for stricter regulatory
frameworks and transparency in international construction projects. Experts emphasize
that ensuring compliance with safety standards is not only vital for protecting 
lives but also for maintaining trust in global partnerships. Meanwhile, public sentiment
in Thailand has grown increasingly critical, with citizens demanding greater oversight
of foreign-funded infrastructure developments.