SAO dodges blame

The State Audit Office (SAO)'s latest statement on the collapse of its 30-storey headquarters is deeply disappointing.

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It dwells on technical detail while sidestepping the most fundamental question of all: who must be held responsible?The SAO says the collapse of the 2-billion-baht building resulted from flaws in both design and construction that failed to meet legal safety standards. That explanation, however, avoids a far more important issue — the SAO's own responsibility.

As the project owner, the SAO was responsible for overseeing the bidding process, appointing contractors and approving designs, permits and construction. This was not a private development. It was a state asset, built with taxpayers' money. Its collapse claimed at least 95 lives. In such circumstances, identifying responsibility is not optional; it is a duty of the state.