SAMUT SAKHON, Nov 29, 2024 — A tragic crane collapse early Monday morning on Rama II Road has claimed six lives and left eight injured. The incident occurred at 4:13 a.m. at the construction site of the Ekkachai-Ban Phaeo Intercity Motorway (M82) in tambon Khok Krabue. Authorities suspect an overloaded girder caused the accident.
Chronology of Events
The collapse involved a launching gantry crane and precast concrete segments, which fell onto the outbound side of Rama II Road. Initially, reports confirmed four fatalities and ten injuries, but the death toll later rose to six.
Among the deceased was Apiwat Phaphanthang, a 30-year-old Thai national, who died at the site. Four Myanmar workers also lost their lives, with two still unaccounted for and presumed dead. The sixth victim, Suthat Bunruang, 31, succumbed to his injuries at Samut Sakhon Hospital.
The injured—eight in total—are receiving treatment at local hospitals. A foreman at the scene revealed that many workers were rescued after falling during the collapse, with a total of 25 individuals safely evacuated.
Compensation and Support for Victims
Deputy Governor Voranat Nurod confirmed that families of the deceased will receive 860,000 baht each in compensation, while injured workers will be entitled to medical care and financial support through the Social Security Fund and the construction firm responsible.
Site Clearance and Traffic Updates
Samut Sakhon Governor Naris Niramaiwong urged motorists to take detours as authorities worked to manage the heavy traffic congestion caused by the collapse. The expressway lanes of Rama II Road remain fully closed, though some frontage lanes are operational.
Highway police have recommended alternative routes, including Phet Kasem and Borommaratchachonnani roads. Three mobile cranes were dispatched to remove debris, and site clearance efforts began around 1:00 p.m.
Investigation and Government Response
Authorities suspect the collapse was due to an overloaded girder, with engineers and police conducting further investigations. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her condolences on X (formerly Twitter) and announced the formation of a committee to investigate the incident thoroughly.
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit confirmed that the contractor responsible for the mishap would face penalties, including a 2-4 year ban from future government projects. He emphasized the need for stricter oversight to prevent such tragedies.
Context: Challenges on Rama II Road
Rama II Road is a critical route connecting Bangkok to the southern provinces, including the popular tourist destination of Hua Hin. The ongoing construction aims to alleviate congestion and reduce travel time, but frequent delays and accidents have compounded the problem.
This incident adds to a troubling history of construction-related fatalities along Rama II Road:
- January 2024: A sling broke, causing a worker’s death when a crane basket fell.
- March 2024: A factory crane collapse in Rayong killed seven workers.
- May 2023: A worker was fatally struck by a falling concrete slab.
The 54-year-old road, constructed in 1970, now handles over 250,000 vehicles daily, limiting construction activities to nighttime hours between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
Construction Project Updates
Three major projects are underway on Rama II Road:
- Rama 3-Dao Khanong-Western Outer Ring Road Expressway: 80.92% complete, expected to open in June 2025.
- Elevated Highway 35 (Bang Khun Thian-Ekachai): Completion expected in November 2024, with a 4 km trial section to open by the end of 2024.
- Motorway 82 (Bang Khun Thian-Ban Phaeo section): Completion expected in June 2025, with full service by 2027.
Transport Minister Suriya acknowledged that while contractors are legally allowed to extend their timelines due to COVID-19 impacts, he urged them to complete the projects by September 2025 to minimize public inconvenience.
Conclusion
This devastating incident underscores the pressing need for stricter safety protocols and accountability in Thailand’s construction sector. As authorities work to clear the site and investigate the collapse, families and victims are receiving support, and efforts to complete the stalled infrastructure projects continue.
This article was first published on Nov 29, 2024, shortly after the incident, and has been updated as more details became available.
