"Probe initiated into deadly crane collapse at Chinese-owned steel factory in Rayong" 29 March 2024

A House committee on industries has initiated an investigation into a crane collapse at a Chinese-owned steel factory in Rayong province, which resulted in the deaths of seven workers. The incident occurred at the Sin Ker Yuan Company Limited in Rayong’s Pluak Daeng district, where a crane fell while workers were dismantling its base, killing one Chinese and six Myanmar nationals.

Following the tragedy, about 400 workers protested for compensation, leading to the employer agreeing to pay 1.6 million baht to each victim’s family. Further protests by 200 workers called for improved welfare benefits from the Social Security Fund, concluding after assurances of eligibility for social security benefits were provided...

The exact cause of the accident was not yet known...Akkaradej Wongpithakroj, chair of the House panel and MP for the United Thai Nation Party, expressed concern that this was not an isolated incident at the factory and noted that the investigation would extend to other reported violations by Chinese-owned firms in Thailand....

[Further research by the Resource Centre shows that Sin Ker Yuan Company Limited is a rebar manufacturer with a registered capital of 15 million baht located in Nonglalok BanKhai, Rayong. Established in 2011, the company produces, processes, and trades steel products, generating 4 billion baht in revenue in 2015 when it officially commenced operations. Due to limited public information, the company could not be contacted for comment.]