Engineering Institute of Thailand Calls for Stricter Steel Standards

The Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT), represented by President Assoc. Prof. Anek Siripanichkorn, has urged for a reform of the Thai Industrial Standard (TIS) for reinforced concrete steel bars. The initiative aims to enhance building safety and ensure fair competition within the industry by addressing the use of Induction Furnace (IF) technology.

According to Khaosod Online, while the 2016 TIS standards already include technical and environmental requirements for IF furnaces—such as scrap quality control, chemical analysis, and refining processes—the EIT notes that enforcement has been inconsistent. This lack of strict oversight allows some manufacturers to produce low-cost steel without investing in necessary quality and environmental control systems, creating an uneven playing field for compliant businesses. The EIT highlights that as China phases out IF technology due to environmental policies, these machines are often exported to developing nations at low costs, allowing for cheaper entry into the steel market compared to Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) systems.

For residents and travelers, this issue is significant as it directly relates to the structural integrity and safety of buildings. Stricter standards could lead to higher construction costs but improved long-term safety. It remains to be confirmed how the government will respond to these calls for reform and whether specific regulatory changes will be enacted to tighten the enforcement of existing standards.