BANGKOK – A building collapse near Wat Traimit Wittayaram Worawihan in Bangkok has killed one person, authorities said on Saturday, as emergency teams rushed to secure the area and investigate the cause.
The incident occurred on 20 June along Rama IV Road in the Samphanthawong area, when a concrete slab on the second floor of an ageing shophouse structure gave way and fell onto a passer-by below. Rescue workers from the Suan Mali Fire and Rescue Station retrieved the victim’s body from the debris and confirmed the death at the scene.
CCTV footage recorded at around 16:43 showed part of the building suddenly collapsing, sending dust and debris into the street. Witnesses described hearing a loud crash, initially mistaking it for a falling electricity pole, before seeing a large plume of white dust and rubble.
“I heard a loud noise and then saw dust everywhere. It looked like a sudden collapse,” one shop owner said, adding that falling debris had been observed intermittently from the building before the incident.
Authorities sealed off the area immediately after the collapse and inspected the structural stability of the remaining building. Police also coordinated with the electricity authority to check nearby poles and wiring for safety risks. Officials confirmed there were no people trapped inside the structure.
Traffic police blocked sections of Rama IV Road, warning motorists to avoid the area due to congestion and ongoing safety inspections.
Local reports indicated the building was an old shophouse complex, estimated to be nearly 100 years old, housing multiple businesses including paper offerings, electrical goods, tea shops, and a travel agency. One shop owner said small fragments of brick and plaster had fallen from the structure over time, but the severity of the collapse was unexpected.
At least three vehicles were also damaged in the incident, according to witnesses.
Authorities said investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the structural failure.