Chinese executive of firm constructing collapsed high-rise in Bangkok arrested
Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) took into custody Zhang Chuanling, a Chinese national, on Saturday. He is one of four people wanted on arrest warrants for allegedly acting as nominees for the Thai-owned subsidiary of a Chinese construction firm, the Bangkok Post reported.
The firm was building the 30-storey State Audit Office headquarters in Chatuchak district of Bangkok, which collapsed after an earthquake of magnitude that struck central Myanmar on March 28.
A search is ongoing for the other three suspects, who are all Thai nationals, the report in the Bangkok Post added.
On Saturday, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said there were 103 victims from the collapse. Of them, nine were injured, 47 were confirmed dead, and 47 remain missing.
As per a report in the Thai news outlet, The Nation, preliminary findings by of a joint investigation by the DSI and the Royal Thai Police. have revealed that three Thai nationals were used as proxy shareholders on behalf of foreign interests, violating Thailand's Foreign Business Act.
"Financial records uncovered transactions exceeding 2 billion baht linked to loans involving Chinese executives. These financial arrangements paved the way for China Railway No.10 (Thailand) to secure a government contract via a joint venture, raising suspicions of illicit bidding practices," as per the report in The Nation.
China Railway No.10 was part of a joint venture with an Italian-Thai firm to build the State Audit Office tower before its collapse.
As per local media reports, officials are examining whether construction materials--specifically steel and cement--met industrial standards under the Industrial Product Standards Act. Investigators are reviewing design documents, project supervision records, and nine rounds of design modifications, some of which may involve forged signatures from engineers and supervisors.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Muscat Daily
a day ago
- Muscat Daily
Oman tackles human trafficking with effective legislation
Muscat – Royal Oman Police (ROP) and relevant authorities will observe World Day Against Trafficking in Persons today (July 30) aligning with this year's global theme 'Organised Crime – End Exploitation', reflecting the sultanate's intensified efforts to combat human trafficking. Brig Jamal bin Habib al Quraishi, Director General of Inquiries and Criminal Investigation, said Oman has made progress in enhancing its legislative and institutional framework to tackle trafficking. 'This year's commemoration reflects the sultanate's strides in combating human trafficking by updating legislation, improving inter-agency coordination, and equipping officers with the tools and training needed to address these crimes professionally,' he stated. In conjunction with the international day, the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking launched a campaign called 'Aman' to raise public awareness, encourage reporting and inform victims of their rights. Brig Jamal bin Habib al Quraishi, Director General of Inquiries and Criminal Investigation ROP has rolled out a new system to better identify and protect trafficking victims. It includes enhanced coordination with Public Prosecution and Ministry of Social Development to ensure victims are referred to official protection centres. Personnel across agencies have been trained to recognise indications of trafficking, enabling quicker legal action and appropriate care. Brig Quraishi revealed that several cases investigated this year exposed organised criminal networks operating across borders. In one instance, individuals of Arab and Asian nationalities entered Oman on tourist visas and were found promoting illegal organ transplantation abroad. The operation targeted vulnerable patients in need of kidney transplants. He added that perpetrators also use fraudulent job advertisements to lure women abroad, only to exploit them in Oman. Confiscation of personal documents and forced work under threat are among the tactics employed. Other cases involved workers being brought in on tourist or visit visas, only to be illegally employed and pressured into paying off visa-related debts by working endless hours. A high-profile arrest this year involved a suspect wanted by Italian authorities for leading a trafficking and migrant smuggling ring to Europe. The individual was apprehended in Oman and extradited following international protocols. The operation earned recognition from law enforcement partners abroad.
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Thailand and Cambodia agree to ceasefire after five days of fighting
Cambodia and Thailand agreed to an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire" from midnight on Monday, in a bid to halt their deadliest conflict in more than a decade after five days of fierce fighting that has displaced more than 300,000 people. After days of efforts by Malaysia, chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, the United States and China to bring both sides to the table, the two countries' leaders agreed to end hostilities, resume direct communications and create a mechanism to implement the truce. At least 36 people have been killed in the fighting, mostly civilians. Following more than two hours of talks at his official residence in Putrajaya, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, flanked by Thai and Cambodian leaders, said he was ready to deploy a team to observe and ensure implementation. "This is a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security," he told a press conference. "All parties shared a commitment to peace." The Southeast Asian neighbours have wrangled for decades over border territory and have been on a conflict footing since the killing of a Cambodian soldier in a skirmish late in May, which led to a troop buildup on both sides. A full-blown diplomatic crisis brought Thailand's fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse. They accuse each other of starting the fighting last week, both quickly deploying heavy artillery at multiple points along their 800-km land border. Thailand flew air raids with an F-16 fighter jet. US President Donald Trump called both leaders at the weekend, warning he would not conclude trade deals with them unless they ended the fighting. Both sides are facing a steep import tariff of 36% on their goods in the U.S., their top export market. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet thanked his acting Thai counterpart Phumtham Wechayachai for what he said was a positive role and said he deeply appreciated Trump's "decisive mediation" and China's constructive participation. "We agreed that the fighting will stop immediately," he said, expressing confidence that both sides could rebuild trust and confidence. "The solutions proposed by Prime Minister Anwar will set the conditions for moving forward with bilateral discussions, returning to normalcy, and forming the foundation for future de-escalation." Responding to the ceasefire, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Trump "made this happen". "Give him the Nobel Peace Prize!" Leavitt posted on X. Tensions boiled over last week after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh and expelled Cambodia's envoy, in response to a second Thai soldier losing a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged Cambodian troops had recently laid. Cambodia has strongly denied the charge, as well as Thai accusations that it has fired at civilian targets including schools and hospitals. Hun Manet last week accused Thailand of "unprovoked and premeditated military aggression". Thai leader Phumtham, who had expressed doubts about Cambodia's sincerity, said Bangkok had agreed to a ceasefire that would be "carried out successfully in good faith by both sides". "Today's outcome reflects Thailand's desire for a peaceful resolution by continuing to protect our sovereignty and the life of our people," he said, thanking Trump and Malaysia. The fighting has scarred border communities on both sides. In Thailand's Sisaket province, a house lay reduced to splintered wood and twisted beams after being struck by artillery fire from Cambodia. The roof had caved in, windows hung by the frame and power lines drooped over the structure. Amid the din of occasional artillery fire, homes and shops remained shut and a four-lane road was deserted except for a few cars and military vehicles. Dozens of displaced residents lined up quietly for their evening meal at an evacuation centre about 40 km away from the frontlines. A few children played with dogs, others swept the dusty floor. Fifty-four-year-old Nong Ngarmsri just wanted to go back to her village. "I want to go to my children who stayed back," she said. "I want them to cease firing so that I can go home." — Reuters
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Apple is shutting a store in China, its first closure in the country
Apple will close a store in northeastern China in August, the first time it has shuttered one of its retail locations since it opened its first outlet in the country in 2008. The company said Monday that it would close its store in Dalian City's Parkland Mall on Aug. 9. On social media, locals have described the mall as struggling, noting that other brands like Michael Kors and Armani had closed their stores there. 'Given the departure of several retailers at the Parkland Mall, we have decided to close our store,' said Brian Bumbery, an Apple spokesperson. 'We love serving the Dalian community, and all of our valued team members will have the opportunity to continue their roles with Apple.' The closure is the latest sign of how China's economy continues to be challenged by tepid consumer spending. The government has poured large sums into programs designed to spur purchases of smartphones, washing machines, and electric vehicles. The trade-in programs have gotten people to spend more, but economists say the impact on consumption could be short-lived. The pullback also reflects Apple's ongoing business troubles in China, which is its second-largest market. Apple has reported declining sales in China for six quarters. Last year, it reported total revenue in the country of $66.95 billion, nearly 10% less than its peak of $74.2 billion in 2022. Chinese rivals like Huawei, Xiaomi, and Vivo have eroded Apple's share of the world's largest smartphone market. Last year, Apple's share of sales of smartphones in China fell to 15.5% from 17.9% a year earlier, according to Counterpoint Research, a tech research firm. Apple will continue to operate its other store in Dalian at another shopping mall, Olympia 66. The iPhone maker plans to open a new store in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen this month. With that opening, the company expects to finish 2025 with the same number of stores, 58, as it had at the beginning of the year, even after the Parkland Mall closure. This article originally appeared in
