Thai authorities have intensified their investigation [1] into Xin Ke Yuan (SKY) Steel Ltd, confiscating servers from the company’s factory in Ban Khai district, Rayong province. The move comes after the company failed to submit documents detailing its steel manufacturing process by the April 10 deadline, raising concerns over its compliance with safety standards.
The Department of Industrial Works task force, under the Industry Ministry, conducted the raid alongside officials from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). During the operation, investigators noted that some CCTV cameras in the server room had been turned off, potentially to conceal evidence of server replacements. Authorities also discovered around 40 migrant workers at the factory, prompting further scrutiny of labor law compliance.
Xin Ke Yuan is currently under investigation for its possible role in the collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district following an earthquake on March 28. Test results from the Iron and Steel Institute of Thailand indicated that SKY’s 32mm and 20mm deformed steel bars, used in the collapsed building, did not meet safety standards. However, the company has disputed these findings.
Industry Minister Akanat Promphan emphasized the urgency of the probe, stating that the investigation will also focus on the whereabouts of 2,441 tonnes of steel products valued at 50.1 million baht. These materials were seized by the ministry on January 9 after the factory was ordered to shut down in December 2024 for producing substandard steel. Officials are also examining discrepancies in the factory’s electricity and water bills, which have raised further questions about its operations.
The Ministry of Industry is set to collect additional steel samples from the SAO collapse site to ensure a thorough investigation. Meanwhile, discussions are underway to revoke Xin Ke Yuan’s investment privileges granted by the Board of Investment (BOI), as authorities seek to tighten regulations within the steel sector.
With public concerns mounting over the safety of construction materials, officials stress that immediate action is necessary to prevent further risks. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities committed to uncovering the full extent of Xin Ke Yuan’s compliance failures and their potential impact on Thailand’s infrastructure.
Sources:
[1] Ministry confiscates Xin Ke Yuan’s servers in steel quality probe https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40048642