A CONSTRUCTION magnate, builders, designers and engineers surrendered to police today on criminal negligence charges for the deadly collapse of a Bangkok high-rise in the March 28 earthquake that hit Myanmar.

Premchai Karnasuta, the president of the Italian-Thai Development Company, the main Thai contractor for the building project, as well as designers and engineers were among 17 charged with the felony of professional negligence causing death, Bangkok deputy police chief Noppasin Poonsawat said.

Mr Noppasin said those who met police today formally denied the charges. Several have previously issued public denials in response to allegations in the media.