PATHUM THANI — As police investigate the cause of a collapsed construction site that killed at least 10 workers over the weekend, the project's overseers have either fled their charges or denied responsibility for the fatal collapse.

The six-floor residential building in Thanyaburi district collapsed on 11 August, trapping dozens of workers under its rubble. The project, named U Place, was commissioned by U Guest Condo company and constructed by Plook Plang company.

The police filed arrest warrants for six of the project's managers shortly after the collapse, including Pensri Kittipaisarnnon, project commissioner; Boonyakorn Heebthong, an executive of U Place company; Chanaichol Kerdthes, owner of Plook Plang construction company; Saksith Intarathong, engineer and building planner; Jira Khanman, engineer; and Diew Plabchone, contractor.

The suspects have been charged with reckless action that led to injuries and deaths of other people. If found guilty, they could face up to 10 years in prison and a 20,000 baht fine.

Ms. Pensri, Mr. Saksith, and Mr. Diew surrendered themselves to the police yesterday, but police say Mr. Boonyakorn and Mr. Jira are still at large, while Mr. Chanaichol has already fled to Cambodia to escape the charge. 

At a police press conference yesterday, Mr. Saksith, the building’s planner and engineer, blamed  the contractor, Mr. Diew, for pouring concrete into the building’s structure without his consent. 

According to Mr. Saksith, he specifically told Mr. Diew not to add any concrete before he personally inspected the site. As it was a holiday weekend for National Mother’s Day, Mr. Saksith did not visit the site on the day the building collapsed, he said.

However, Mr. Diew told police he was away from the construction site "for personal business" when the building collapsed and did not give any orders to pour more concrete into the structure either. Mr. Diew claimed a leading worker decided to add 40 cubic of concrete on his own volition, which led to the collapse.

Mr. Diew did not identify the worker by his real name; he said he only knew his nickname, "Kob."

Ms. Pensri, the U Place project commissioner who applied for a license for the construction, said tearfully that she was very sorry about the incident.

"I didn't want any losses to happen at all," Ms. Pensri said. "If I could die instead, I would."

She also promised to compensate and assist the families of the dead and injured. As for the criminal charges against her, Ms. Pensri said she would only give testimony in court. 

The police have filed additional arrest warrants for three other suspects who have not turned themselves in, said Pol.Maj.Gen. Sriwara Rangsibrahmakul, deputy commander of Region 1 Provincial Police. 

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PHUKET — Police have determined that a Russian tourist found dead in Phuket province yesterday committed suicide, although they are still searching for the ladyboy who was seen with him prior to his death.

The 33-year-old man was found dead in a hotel room in the popular tourist district of Patong yesterday. Police say the Russian had knife wounds on his chest and left wrist. A knife was found nearby.

There was no sign of struggle in the hotel room and three "farewell letters" penned by the tourist were also found near his bed, police say. Its contents have not been disclosed.

Pol.Col. Teerasak Boonsaeng, an officer at Kathu Police Station, said hotel staff told police that the tourist spent a night with a Thai ladyboy (transgender woman) before his body was found the next morning.

The staff also heard a loud argument between the ladyboy and the Russian man in their hotel room, Pol.Col. Teerasak said. The ladyboy was seen leaving the hotel afterwards.

She has been identified as Mesa Promkert, 35. Pol.Col. Teerasak said the police are trying to locate Ms. Mesa and question her about the death. 

However, Pol.Col. Teerasak said the police have initially concluded that the Russian man committed suicide.

"We believe the cause was the argument, which made the man feel very sad and decide to kill himself," Pol.Col. Teerasak said. 

PRACHUAP KIRI KHAN — Beach vendors in the popular seaside town of Hua Hin are defending their “overpriced” food and encroachment on public land.

Thirteen representatives of more than 160 stalls along Hua Hin beach arrived at the Government House in Bangkok today to submit a petition to the chairman of Thailand’s military junta, requesting he spare them from local authorities who have vowed to take action against the vendors.

The controversy arose after a number of tourists reported paying as much as 7,000 baht for meals from food stalls in Hua Hin over the recent holiday weekend. 

According to photos of the bills posted on social media, many staple Thai dishes, like som tum and pork fried rice, cost as much as 150 to 400 baht each. The standard market price of those dishes ranges from 30 to 40 baht.

Following a number of complaints, local administrative officials in Hua Hin threatened to regulate the price of food served at these beach stalls and evict any vendors operating on public land.

The petition submitted to Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha today argued that an imminent eviction will severely affect the livelihood of the local vendors, many of whom have been selling goods on the beach for over 30 years. 

"It will really affect us," Hua Hin vendor Chongkolnee Rittirong said. "But the authorities won't take action against private businesses that build residences and restaurants encroaching on the sea area."

"I would like the NCPO to give fairness to beach vendors," Ms. Chongkolnee said, using the acronym for the junta's National Council for Peace and Order.

She also defended the high prices of food sold at the beachside stalls, explaining that the prices were clearly shown on menus and do not greatly differ from vendors in other popular tourist destinations like Phuket and Pattaya.

"Previously, the vendors tried proposing a central price that the entire beach would agree on, but the state did not respond to our proposal at all," Ms. Chongkolnee said. "I would like those who say our food price is too high to check their facts before posting stories about it [on social media]."

Hua Hin’s mayor Noppon Wutthikul said yesterday that he has received many comments from tourists requesting a measure to control the high prices. 

He also insisted that the authorities will have to evict the vendors from the beach to stop their encroachment.

"There cannot be stalls on the beach," Mr. Noppon said. 

The NCPO has not yet commented on the matter. However, after seizing power in a coup d'etat on 22 May, the junta dispatched troops to crack down on vendors and beach chair renters on public beaches in Phuket, a top destination for foreign tourists. The campaign also rooted out illegal taxi stands on the island and arrested almost 100 people in connection with an underground taxi mafia.