A horrifying construction accident on Rama II Road in Samut Sakhon yesterday early morning left five workers dead and ten injured after the steel frame of an under-construction flyover came crashing down.
The tragic incident, which happened at 4:13 AM, saw workers plummeting from the structure as it failed to bear the weight of the concrete slabs it was supporting.
Shocking Details
According to sources, the site supervisor said there were 39 workers on-site when the collapse occurred. Just as they were moving to another section, the frame gave way, dragging down a crane transporting cement and leaving chaos in its wake.
The victims include one Thai national and four Burmese workers. The supervisor described the harrowing moment workers fell, many sustaining injuries, while some tragically lost their lives.
Traffic Mayhem and Cleanup
The collapse caused major traffic jams, completely shutting down all lanes of the Rama II Road highway. Authorities rushed to deploy 400-ton and 200-ton cranes to clear the wreckage.
Local disaster officials have since contacted the contractor and relevant agencies to assess the damage and speed up the cleanup.
Government Steps In
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, has called for a full investigation into the collapse. He’s also ordered a stop to all construction at the site and demanded stricter supervision of contractors.
Suriya didn’t hold back, saying contractors responsible for accidents like this could face heavy penalties, including blacklisting and being barred from future projects.
A History of Delays
The Rama II flyover project, meant to ease congestion between Bangkok and southern regions, was originally set for completion in June 2025. However, pandemic-related delays have pushed the deadline to the end of 2025.
Instead of solving traffic issues, the project has caused even more headaches, with frequent delays and incidents leaving locals stuck in longer jams, especially on weekends and holidays.
Read more:
