The Albany Gazette - Thai authorities probe collapse at quake-hit construction site

The planned skyscraper was to house government offices, but the shaking reduced the structure to a pile of rubble in seconds.

The collapse is the worst damage inflicted in Thailand by the 7.7-magnitude quake, which caused widespread destruction -- and at least 1,700 deaths -- in neighbouring Myanmar.

Numerous high-rise buildings elsewhere in Bangkok were left unscathed with limited reports of major damage, prompting questions as to why the one tower was destroyed.

Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt told reporters on Monday that only two buildings in the city remained inaccessible.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra had expressed concerns on Saturday, questioning why the collapsed building was the only one in the capital to suffer major damage.

"I have questions in my mind," she said. "What happened from the beginning since it was designed? How was this design approved? This was not the first building in the country.

"We have to investigate where the mistake happened."

Paetongtarn ordered a probe into the incident involving a group of experts who she said would report back to her this week.

- 'Something suspicious' -

Critics have said that the steel bars used to link the building's concrete structures may have been too thin, or not of sufficient quality.

Several steel rods were taken from the rubble for testing on Monday afternoon.

Industry minister Akanat Promphan said Sunday that six types of steel had been found, all from a single producer.

"The collapse of a building can come from several factors, from design, construction (and) material specification," he said.

"Most important is the standard of the materials."

Akanat said he had already "found something suspicious", but that he would wait until testing had been completed before elaborating.

The confirmed death toll for Bangkok stood at 18 on Monday, with fears that the number could significantly rise as dozens remain missing under the building's rubble.

Morning rain on Monday gave way to a hot, humid and overcast afternoon as responders worked to remove debris and locate any remaining survivors.

Meanwhile, concerns have also been raised about Thailand's emergency response system, after a text message alert system experienced delays when Friday's quake struck.

"Our problem is that the sending of messages was slow and did not cover enough people," Paetongtarn said Saturday.

The prime minister has called a meeting for Monday with government departments responsible for sending the SMS alerts to the public, Thai media reported.

(T.Martin--TAG)