SAMUT PRAKAN — Rogue waves have been blamed for a cargo ship plowing through a pedestrian walkway near the Bhumibol II Bridge.
The Singapore-flagged container ship Xetha Bhum smashed into a riverwalk in Samut Prakan’s Phra Pradaeng district Sunday as the vessel was navigating a roughly 270-degree bend in the river.
It ran up and over a 10-meter stretch of concrete walkway, totally destroying it. The ship received only minor damage on the starboard side, no goods were damaged and most fortunately no one was injured, according to police.
Video captured the exciting moment.
The ship left Bangkok’s Khlong Toei Pier and was heading seaward to return to Singapore when strong tides caused it to lose control, boat manager Pichet Po-ngam said.
Shipping company Regional Container Lines, which is headquartered in Bangkok’s Yannawa district, will compensate Phra Pradaeng, Pichet said.
Five years ago in September 2011, the same ship was heavily damaged when it collided into a vessel twice its weight off the coast of Singapore.
Col. Phumin Singhasut of Phra Pradaeng police station said it was just luck no one was injured because the walkway is usually crowded with residents and joggers.
The area was cordoned off to prevent people stepping in, he said.
