Dateline: Bangkok: The Engineering Council has disclosed that 2-3 individuals are suspected of ethical violations in relation to the collapse of the State Audit Office building. The council is in the process of collecting comprehensive information before referring the matter to the ethics committee for potential disciplinary action. While engineers forging signatures is considered a criminal issue, it does not fall under ethical violations. However, if the individual involved is an engineer, license revocation could be the consequence.
According to Thai News Agency, the announcement was made at the Engineering Council Building in Bangkok by Assistant Professor Dr. Thanet Veerasiri, President of the Engineering Council, alongside other council leaders. They detailed the council's response to the incident which occurred on March 28, 2025, in the Chatuchak area. Volunteer engineers assisted in rescue operations, recovery of victims, and provided structural support recommendations. They also inspected various types of buildings to assess safety levels.
Assistant Professor Dr. Thanet further explained that a joint command center was established two days after the incident, in collaboration with the Engineering Institute of Thailand, to assist buildings in critical conditions. Multiple working groups were formed to investigate the collapse's cause and collect information on legal entities and engineers involved. The council consistently works on legal actions and professional ethics independently from its executive board.
Associate Professor Dr. Karun Chandrangsu, Chairman of the Ethics Committee, outlined the committee's role in overseeing the engineering profession's ethical practices. He emphasized the importance of maintaining professional integrity to ensure public trust. The committee has the authority to investigate allegations of unethical behavior among licensed engineers, following a structured process to determine the validity of such claims and decide on appropriate sanctions.
Dr. Karun also explained the procedure for addressing accusations of unethical conduct, involving a screening subcommittee to gather evidence and determine whether a full investigation is warranted. If substantial evidence is found, the involved parties must present their case before the committee, which then decides on potential disciplinary actions.
The council encourages individuals affected by the incident to file complaints with specific details regarding the alleged unethical behavior. Mr. Prasong Norajit, Chairman of the Legal Subcommittee, noted that while no formal complaints have been received yet, the council is proactively collecting information to determine any ethical breaches.
Regarding the issue of forged signatures, Mr. Prasong stated it is primarily a criminal matter. However, if an engineer is involved in forgery, it may also trigger ethical considerations, potentially leading to a license revocation for up to five years, pending further council review.
The council also addressed public statements made by its members concerning the collapse, clarifying that such opinions are personal and not representative of the organization. The council has not restricted personal expressions but insists they remain distinct from the council's official stance.
