Thailand, April 19th, 2025 — Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong and relevant officials held a press conference announcing the arrest of Zhang Chuanling, a 49% shareholder and executive of China Railway No. 10 (Thailand) Co., Ltd.—the construction company behind the new State Audit Office (SAO) building that collapsed near Ratchadaphisek after tremors caused from a major earthquake in Myanmar in late March.
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has issued arrest warrants for four suspects: Zhang, along with three Thai nationals—Manas Sri-anan, Prachuap Sirikhet, and Sophon Meechai—on charges of operating a prohibited business as foreign nominees.
Investigators found financial evidence suggesting the three Thais borrowed/were paid over 2 billion baht from the Chinese executive, indicating they were not genuine shareholders or decision makers with the company, masking the fact Zhang was actually in charge.
In a separate case, the DSI is also investigating possible bid rigging in the SAO project. If proven, the suspects could face charges under Section 7 related to deceptive contract acquisition. Some supervising engineers have denied involvement, claiming their signatures were forged.
Meanwhile, police have filed charges of negligence causing injury and death following the building collapse. The DSI urges China Railway No. 10 to present evidence explaining the cause of the disaster, which resulted in multiple fatalities.
Pol. Maj. Yuttana Praedam, DSI chief, said Zhang is cooperating and will be questioned after his lawyer and interpreter arrive. The three alleged Thai executives are still at large but believed to be in the country. DSI maintains they acted as nominees, not real shareholders.
Immigration police confirmed Zhang’s visa remains valid until November 30th, 2025, and shows a history of entering and exiting Thailand periodically.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
