THAILAND — The Structural Engineers Association of Thailand has proposed six measures to halt a recurring cycle of construction crane collapses, citing a series of accidents that point to serious shortcomings in safety standards for public infrastructure projects.
The call follows four launcher crane collapses since work began on the Lat Krabang–On Nut elevated road project in July 2023, construction on Rama II Road in November 2024, a high-speed rail project in Sikhiu, and most recently another collapse on Rama II Road on 14–15 January 2026. These incidents come in addition to a building collapse caused by an earthquake and sinkholes linked to underground rail construction in 2025.
Taken together, the repeated construction failures indicate that Thailand is facing a severe crisis in construction standards for structures in public areas.
Professor Dr. Amorn Pimanmas, president of the Structural Engineers Association of Thailand and a lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University, said all of the collapses occurred on government construction projects and require systematic solutions that address root causes. He outlined six proposals:
- Suspend all government construction projects using launcher cranes in public areas and comprehensively review construction standards.
- Establish an independent investigation committee, separate from project-owning agencies. Findings must be made public, and other professional bodies not represented on the committee should be allowed to provide input to prevent professional collusion or concealment of the true causes.
- Impose serious criminal and civil penalties on those found responsible, and blacklist offending contractors from future construction projects.
- Address subcontracting practices. Main contractors awarded government projects often subcontract work to lower-quality firms, with or without formal contracts, while taking commissions. Subcontractors frequently lack the engineers, personnel, materials, equipment or machinery specified in the main contract, undermining safety standards. The state must issue clear, standardised rules governing subcontracting.
- Tackle the use of nominee arrangements for foreign construction capital. Over the past three to four years, foreign firms unable to bid for government projects due to registration requirements have partnered with Thai contractors to submit bids at cut prices. Once awarded, the work is effectively carried out by the foreign firms, while Thai partners receive a percentage. Low bids make it difficult to maintain safety standards.
- Introduce registration rules for launcher cranes. Many low-cost, second-hand launcher cranes are imported and used in construction. Some are modified using substandard steel and lack certification by qualified engineers, yet are still deployed due to weak state oversight and registration.
Professor Dr. Amorn said the government must fully understand these six root causes and urgently introduce measures, or amend laws and regulations, to raise construction standards and eliminate the risk of future launcher crane collapses in Thailand.
