Building collapse: Three more bodies found, arrests made

Latest (Thursday) Emergency workers located three of five construction workers still trapped under debris of the collapsed U-Place condominium. Four of seven suspects believed to be involved in the collapse have been arrested.

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Thursday update

Emergency workers on Wednesday night were able to locate three of five construction workers still trapped under debris in an area of the collapsed U-Place condominium, more than 48 hours after the structure gave way. 

The three were crushed under large slabs of concrete in an area described by the emergency team as Zone B. There was no response from any of them. The team is using machinery to lift concrete slabs to recover the victims. 

Meanwhile, four of seven suspects involved in the Pathum Thani building collapse were arrested Wednesday and charged with negligence causing death.

Pol Maj Gen Srivara Rangsipramanakul, acting commander of Provincial Police Region 1, said the suspects who were arrested were Pensri Kittipaisalnon, 49, executive of project operator U-Place (Tom) Co; Saksith Inthong, 44, the construction-controlling engineer; Boonyagorn Heepthong, 48, U-place's managing director; and subcontractor Deaw Prapjon, 43.

The arrests came after the Thanyaburi Provincial Court issued warrants for seven suspects accused of having a role in the building's collapse.

According to Mr Saksith, the collapse happened because workers poured concrete on the building roof deck without permission from the engineer. Mr Deaw claimed he was following the orders of the contractor chief, known as Kob, in assigning the workers to pour the concrete.

Ms Pensri expressed regret over the collapse and vowed to take all responsibility for the accident, including compensation for victims and their relatives.

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Rescuers free construction worker after 26 hours

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Rescuers have successfully pulled one of seven workers trapped under the collapsed building in Pathum Thani after 26 hours beneath the rubble.

Meanwhile, engineers say they are having trouble obtaining project plans from the contractor, which they say is hampering rescue efforts.

Klanarong Prapphai, 24, was rescued from the concrete wreckage of the six-storey building in Khlong Luang district of Pathum Thani about 6:30pm amid cheers from emergency crews Tuesday.

Heavy rainfall was last night hampering efforts to find the other workers.

"I'm delighted he survived. I asked his late father [in spirit] to help his son," said Klanarong's mother  Prateep Arunsri, who had rushed from Chon Buri to observe the rescue operation. "My son told me he would come home to meet me on Mother's Day [Tuesday] but things turned out badly," Mrs Prateep said.

Mr Klanarong was one among three people found alive during the rescue operation Tuesday.

The other two are Thawatchai Kumphuchart, 40, and a man aged in his 40s identified only as Phichet.

"Phichet is the one who told us there were seven people trapped in a hall under the collapsed building, but he didn't know if they were still alive," said Anyawut Pho Umphai, a rescue volunteer.

As of press time, Mr Phichet, who was reported to have sustained foot injuries, had yet to be pulled from the rubble.

Thawatchai was still alive when rescue staff found him pinned by a large concrete pole across his upper legs. The rescuers struggled to free him.

Medical staff who had provided treatment at the site decided to amputate Tawatchai's legs to save his life.

However, he died before they could help him, the officials said.

Thawatchai was the third victim to be declared dead in the incident.

The first two were a Cambodian mother and her 8-month-old child who were found dead at the scene after the building collapsed on Monday afternoon.

Health authorities have confirmed 24 injured, at least nine of whom are Cambodian nationals, five of whom are in hospital.

Narong Sahametapat, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, said the five injured people were being treated at four hospitals, with two in need of special care.

One is a pregnant Thai worker who suffered a broken hip. Another is a Cambodian worker suffering from pulmonary bleeding.

Ronachai Thirat, 25, a survivor, recalled that when he took a rest under the building, he heard a loud sound like a lightning strike.

As he fled, something hit him on the head, seconds before the building collapsed. "I can't believe I managed to survive," he said.

Suchatchawee Suwansawad, director of the Engineering Institute of Thailand, who inspected the scene, said there was no response from contractors and owners who are expected to have information about the project plan.

"If we can acquire the project plan, the chances of helping survivors would be good," Mr Suchatchawee said.

A detailed inspection is needed to establish the cause of the collapse, he said.

It may have been the design, materials, or construction process that caused it.

The contractor is Plook Plang Co, reportedly owned by Chanaichon Kerdtes, son of Chalor Kerdthes, the former deputy police commissioner convicted of murder in a jewel theft case.

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