Concrete Play Area Collapses at Wat Chong Lom, Sinking 1.5 Metres

[Georgealbert]

 

 

A concrete children’s play area at Wat Chong Lom, Pak Kret District, Northaburi, sank 1.5 metres, causing visible cracks to the nearby pavilion. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Authorities have cordoned off the area to prevent further danger.

 

At 15:30 on November 23, Mr. Thongbai Sertsorn, a member of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation Council, was alerted by local residents in Ban Mai Subdistrict about the incident. The collapse occurred in the outdoor play area, constructed over a canal at Wat Chong Lom. The sinkhole caused gym equipment installed on the concrete surface to tilt dangerously. Mr. Thongbai immediately coordinated with temple authorities and Pak Kret Municipality officials to inspect the site.

 

Upon inspection, the damage was found to span approximately 30 metres in length, 6 metres in width, and 1.5 metres in depth. The area, located next to the temple’s multipurpose pavilion, had been used as a play zone for years. The pavilion itself also showed signs of extensive cracking due to the collapse.

 

Ms. Boonthing Thongma, the community leader of Ban Mai Samanchan 4, stated that the play area, managed by Pak Kret Municipality, had served local children and youth for years without previous issues. She speculated that the collapse may have been caused by soil erosion beneath the concrete, likely due to water flow under the structure. Various agencies are currently investigating and working on urgent solutions.

 

Mr. Ekkamgon Phoddaeng, the temple’s lay custodian, explained that preliminary assessments suggest the ground subsided due to tidal water eroding the sand beneath the structure and the canal’s embankment. This erosion likely destabilized the area, leading to the collapse and cracks in the pavilion.

 

To ensure public safety, Pak Kret Municipality officials have placed barriers around the damaged play area and restricted access to prevent children or residents from approaching the hazardous zone. Municipal authorities and Wat Chong Lom have pledged to collaborate with engineering experts to develop a swift repair plan to address the structural damage and restore safety.

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

-- 2024-11-24

 

[JimHuaHin]

How long before we start seeing large deep sink holes in the Bangkok area?