BANGKOK — Thai authorities are racing to repair a massive sinkhole on Samsen Road near Vajira Hospital, with contractors pledging to restore traffic within two weeks after the road collapsed into a 50-meter-deep crater during subway construction.
Emergency Response and Current Status
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced September 25 that the sinkhole area has been declared a disaster zone to expedite damage relief efforts. The collapse occurred September 24 around 7:30 a.m., creating a 30×30-meter crater that swallowed part of the road and damaged the under-construction Vajira Hospital subway station.
“The situation remains serious but stable,” Chadchart said following emergency meetings with the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA). “We’re working continuously to prevent further collapse and restore normalcy for affected residents.”
Repair Challenges and Timeline
Recovery efforts face significant obstacles, including 34-ton structural debris lodged in the tunnel that requires 150-ton heavy machinery to remove. Workers must first stabilize the ground to safely operate the equipment before filling the hole with approximately 50,000 sandbags mixed with cement.
The CKST-PL Joint Venture, responsible for the subway construction, pledged to restore road surface access within 14 days through a phased concrete pouring process.
Root Cause Investigation
MRTA Governor Kajphajon Udomthamphakdee explained that the collapse began around 5:00 a.m. September 24 when residents noticed uneven road surfaces. Water began seeping up by 5:30 a.m., followed by progressive road deterioration until the major collapse occurred.
Preliminary investigations suggest unstable soil conditions combined with groundwater caused a 3-meter-deep water pipe to rupture, further destabilizing the ground and triggering the massive cave-in.
Public Safety Measures
Authorities evacuated approximately 10 bedridden patients from nearby areas and are providing water support to affected households. The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority expected normal water service to resume by midday September 25, while electricity has already been restored.
Samsen Police Station, which tilted 2 millimeters toward the sinkhole due to damaged support pillars, remains evacuated along with police residential flats as a safety precaution.
New Concerns Emerge
Officials discovered water seepage and road swelling near Boon Rawd Brewery, approximately 2 kilometers from the original collapse site, prompting additional safety inspections led by Deputy Governor Wisanu Supsompol. However, investigations later revealed the issue was merely a leaking water pipe, which has since been repaired.
Government Response
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the site Wednesday night and apologized to the public. “As a government, we must apologize to all citizens for what happened,” he said, emphasizing immediate road restoration over assigning blame while promising strict legal action regarding contractual and civil responsibilities.
The Transport Ministry has ordered comprehensive safety reviews of all ongoing subway construction projects following this first major incident in Thailand’s 10-year underground railway construction program.
_____
