Earthquake, so I know! The condition of the walls of the Ministry of Labor, tiles are falling all over, why is the plaster like this?
There has been a lot of criticism on social media after a user named X posted a picture of the condition of the cement walls of the Ministry of Labor building, which revealed substandard construction after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit Bangkok this morning. As a result, the wall tiles fell to the เล่น UFABET ผ่านมือถือ สะดวกทุกที่ ทุกเวลา ground, revealing incomplete plaster and shockingly rough construction work.
In the post, the poster wrote, “I’m scratching my head. How can they check this? Not a single piece of plaster has been completely plastered,” along with a photo showing a cracked plaster wall and loose tiles, with an elevator sign next to it, which is believed to be the entrance hall of the Ministry of Labor building. The post has received a lot of attention from netizens, with many commenting on the substandard quality of the construction.
One user X commented on the post, “On the bright side, this building is earthquake-resistant 😉 except the tiles are a bit too rigid, so they collapsed first ;)” While another criticized, “This is what Thai contractors are like. If they build for private companies, especially foreign companies, the quality is exactly as expected. If they build for Thais, they will hide their secrets. Especially when it comes to government work, they are extremely careless.”
The news team went to check the evidence of the tile plastering and found that the correct way to lay wall tiles should have the adhesive plaster touch the surface thoroughly to ensure effective adhesion and prevent future problems with tiles falling off.
Things to avoid:
- Dotted application of cement glue (Salaphao method): This method creates air gaps between the tile and the wall, which can make the tile more likely to crack or fall off.
Correct method:
- Prepare the surface: Clean the wall to be free from dust, cement, oil or other dirt and check that the surface is smooth and even.
- Mixing the adhesive: Mix the adhesive according to the ratio specified on the package. First, pour clean water into the mixing tank, then gradually pour in the adhesive powder. Use a drill to mix the adhesive until it is mixed to the right consistency, not too watery or too hard.
- Applying the adhesive plaster:
- Use a notched trowel to spread the adhesive evenly onto the wall, holding the notched trowel at a 60-degree angle and spreading in the same direction.
- For large tiles (e.g. 25×25 cm and above), a thin layer of adhesive should be applied to the back of the tile to ensure that the adhesive is in full contact with the surface.
- Tile installation: Place the tile on the applied adhesive, press firmly or tap it gently with a rubber hammer to ensure a tight fit to the wall. Leave space between each tile for even grouting.
Following these steps will help ensure that your wall tiles are strong, durable, and will reduce future peeling problems.
Construction quality issues in Thailand are not new. According to a report by Project Sabai on September 23, 2024, the construction industry in Thailand often faces problems with the use of unqualified labor and lack of formal training. As well as the use of low-quality materials and improper installation, which often lead to long-term problems such as leakage or substandard electrical systems. The report also recommends that employers select experienced contractors who understand local regulations to ensure that construction work meets international standards.
In addition, Thailand’s Ministry of Interior issued new regulations on September 6, 2023. To raise safety and sustainability standards in construction, with a focus on load-bearing capacity, fire resistance. The use of environmentally friendly materials. And designs that can withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes. According to Legal500, the regulations aim to reduce the risk of accidents and improve the quality of buildings in Thailand to be on par with international standards.
However, the incident has sparked calls for relevant agencies to urgently inspect and take action to prevent future risks. Especially in public buildings with a large number of people using them. Many netizens questioned the state agency’s acceptance process. Asking how strictly it was supervised, and called for a serious investigation into the contractor responsible for the project.