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

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.

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.

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.

The construction project was a collaboration between China 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.