April 1, 2025: Construction or bidding questions related to the State Audit Office building which crumbled last Friday during a major earthquake centred in Myanmar will be at the heart of a government investigation, which the prime minister reportedly wants to be quick.
Reports quoting the government’s spokesman said Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra wanted the investigation to be wrapped up within one week. That is an unheard-of deadline when Thai probes into alleged government irregularities are concerned.
The spokesman, Jirayu Huangsap, quoted her as saying that Thailand “will find it hard to live” if no causes were established.
This seems consistent with an another report quoting Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong, who said the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) would play a leading role in the bidding investigation.
The promise of a swift probe has come amid what looks like a revamp of government attitude toward earthquake-related policies, which understandably might not have been intense previously. According to Jirayu, there would be intensified long-term, short-term and emergency measures including what children need to learn and how serious they need to learn it.
Daily updates of local and global events by Tulsathit Taptim
