Yesterday, the diligent workers of the Expressway Authority of Thailand were seen meticulously removing the rubble left behind by the unfortunate collapse of a beam from the newly constructed elevated Chalerm Maha Nakhon expressway. This incident, which unfolded around Rama II Road in the Chom Thong district, had caused major traffic disruptions, drawing significant public attention. One poignant detail that emerged was the identity of the sixth victim, a young Myanmar national named Htike Wai Yan, age 22, whose body was identified at Taksin Hospital.
It was reported that a relative who had tried to find Htike Wai after the disaster discovered only a bag and a mobile phone left behind at the construction site. Authorities confirmed that Htike Wai was last witnessed diligently working on the bridge, his routine task morphing into tragedy without notice.
The catastrophe, occurring a mere 200 meters from the expressway entrance, saw a concrete beam under construction tumbling onto an expressway structure. The event proved fatal for six individuals, including three Thai nationals and two other foreign workers, leaving at least 22 more injured—a stark reminder of the hazards accompanying construction projects.
In the aftermath of the collapse, the Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat), operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Transport, reported that approximately 40% of the detritus from the collapse had already been cleared. Authorities have optimistically projected that the inbound lanes of the Dao Khanong and Chalerm Maha Nakhon expressways could potentially be operational within a week’s time, with repair work on the outbound lanes anticipated to conclude in about a month.
The incident prompted the attention of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who has promptly summoned state agencies to deliberate on bolstering safety protocols within the construction industry. This crucial meeting is slated for today at the Thai Khu Fah Building, underscoring the government’s commitment to preventing such tragedies from recurring.
Recollections from the day of the incident depicted a scene fraught with tension—workers hearing unnerving noises from the structure as concrete was poured to connect columns. Such sounds are now ominous harbingers of the catastrophe that was to follow. As investigations commenced, experts like Assoc Prof Siriwat Chaichana from the Engineering Institute of Thailand pointed to a possible shifting of a support structure as a cause. This shift might have sprung from soil displacement, leading the framework, burdened with 10 tonnes of concrete, to tilt dangerously and eventually give way.
In light of these findings, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has demanded a thorough probe by Exat. He mentioned that a comprehensive “contractor’s report book,” which would evaluate contractor performance, is anticipated by next month. Concomitantly, Exat governor Surachet Laophulsuk confirmed that the contractor involved has been instructed to halt construction activities for a 14-day period while investigations are underway.
This unfolding saga serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting not only the intricate challenges of construction but also the relentless pursuit of truth and justice in the face of human loss. As Bangkok grapples with the fallout, measures are being put in place to secure safer futures for the city’s skyline builders, ensuring such narratives transform into lessons rather than mere memories.
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