Thailand-based Xin Ke Yuan Steel is currently under investigation [1] after its deformed steel bars failed to meet safety standards, raising concerns about construction integrity. The company, which operates in Rayong Province, was previously ordered to shut down in December 2024 due to substandard steel production. However, recent inspections suggest that its steel may have entered the supply chain despite the closure.
The scrutiny intensified following the collapse of the State Audit Office building in Bangkok after the March 28 7.7 magnitude earthquake. Authorities suspect that 32mm and 20mm steel bars supplied by Xin Ke Yuan Steel were used in the building’s construction. Tests conducted by the Iron and Steel Institute of Thailand confirmed that the steel did not meet national standards for mass, chemical composition, and tensile strength.
Industry Minister Akanat Promphan has pledged to reinspect the factory to ensure that the confiscated steel is not being sold. If any seized materials are found in circulation, immediate penalties will be imposed. The ministry is also considering revoking the Thai Industrial Standard (TIS) certification for steel produced using Induction Furnace (IF) technology, a method banned in China due to environmental concerns.
The investigation into Xin Ke Yuan Steel is now part of a broader crackdown on foreign businesses producing substandard materials. Officials have already shut down seven steel factories and are currently investigating three more, valued at 400 million baht.
Sources:
[1] Xin Ke Yuan Steel under scrutiny for substandard steel bars https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40048227