“Dr. Ae” sent the questions to the government about crane collapse at Sikhio-Rama 2, stressing Thai people must not die in vain!

Today (Jan 22), at 9:30 a.m., at the front of Central Rama 2, Mr. Suchatvee Suwansawat, the prime ministerial candidate and leader of Thai Kao Mai Party, together with Bangkok MP candidate state a press conference titled “Thai People Must Not Die in Vain,” addressing the crane collapse, building collapse, and road subsidence incidents, particularly along Rama II Road.

Mr. Suchatvee stated that more than a week has passed since the January 14 incident in Sikhio District, Nakhon Ratchasima, which claimed over 30 lives. Less than 24 hours later, a crane collapse on Rama II Road took another life. On January 20, a fire broke out at the crane wreckage, fortunately not near gas tanks, which could have triggered yet another tragedy.

In response, the Thai Kao Mai Party submitted six questions to the government, demanding clear answers, as the public has been waiting for more than a week.

1. Who will serve as an independent and transparent lead investigator?

Mr. Suchatvee questioned whether the responsible authority would come from the Ministry of Transport, the State Railway of Thailand, or the Department of Highways, noting widespread concern among engineers, the public, and victims’ families over potential conflicts of interest if the investigating body is also the project owner.

2. Were subcontractors used to cut costs?

The Thai Kao Mai Party and the public are demanding disclosure of whether subcontracting was involved. Despite more than a week having passed, no subcontractor names have been revealed. Mr. Suchatvee said this lack of transparency is suspicious and may be at the root of the tragedies in both Sikhio and Rama II Road.

3. Where else are similar “deadly cranes” currently in operation?

He stressed that such cranes must be taken out of service immediately. The government must disclose who manufactured and imported them, and which agencies issued operating permits. Failure to do so poses ongoing risks to public safety and property.

Photo: Weeraphat Ratsameerueangrong via SAP NEWS

4. Foreign contractors, he noted that foreign contractors were involved in previous incidents, including the collapse of the State Audit Office building and the Sikhio railway crane accident. The key question is whether these foreign contractors were legally licensed to work in Thailand.

5. Impact on tourism, Mr. Suchatvee criticized the lack of official statements from government agencies or representatives for over a week, questioning whether Thailand must suffer further reputational damage before the government responds.

6. When will the high-speed rail project and Rama II Road be completed?

He asked how many more lives and how much economic loss the country must endure before these projects are safely finished.

Photo: Weeraphat Ratsameerueangrong via SAP NEWS

Mr. Suchatvee emphasized that all six questions are straightforward and unbiased, and that the government must answer them. Otherwise, the issue risks being quietly buried with no accountability. He reaffirmed that the Thai Kao Mai Party will not allow those responsible to evade justice, declaring that “Thai people must not die in vain.”

He added that families of the victims received compensation of 150,000 baht, saying, “They would rather return the money and have their children, husbands, or wives back.” By international standards, he said, a clear press briefing explaining how such a tragedy occurred should have been held within a week to restore public confidence.

Mr. Suchatvee concluded that subcontracting is the root of corruption and kickbacks, with low-quality subcontractors not only eroding the industry but also undermining the foundations of the nation. He said it is time to dismantle the rotten, corruption-ridden structures that continue to destroy Thailand.

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Source of material: official media /online news