Road Under Construction Collapses on Rama II Road, Multiple Workers Trapped

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures from responders.

 

A section of an elevated expressway under construction on Rama II Road collapsed early  morning, on 15 March, trapping multiple workers beneath the debris. Emergency responders have so far rescued five people, but many remain unaccounted for.

 

The incident occurred at approximately 01:50 near Soi Rama II 25 in Bang Mot, Chom Thong district. Reports from the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department’s emergency hotline (199) confirmed that a structural failure led to the collapse of a steel framework supporting the elevated road. Several workers were crushed under the debris, with fatalities and serious injuries reported.

 

Rescue teams from the Chom Thong Fire Station, as well as the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) unit of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, have been deployed to the site. Initial reports indicate that at least 20 workers were present at the time of the collapse.

 

By0 2:05 rescue teams had managed to extract five injured workers, who were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. The operation is ongoing, with responders carefully searching the wreckage for any remaining survivors.

 

 

The collapse extended from Soi 17 to Soi 25, raising concerns about the safety of the entire construction project. Authorities have yet to confirm the total number of casualties, and an investigation is expected to determine the cause of the failure.

This incident marks yet another construction-related accident on Rama II Road, a major highway notorious for infrastructure collapses in recent years. The authorities have urged the public to avoid the area while rescue and recovery efforts continue.

 

-- 2025-03-15

 

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Daily News

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Three Dead as Rama II Overpass Collapse Rescue Efforts Continue

Picture from responders.

 

At least three people have been confirmed dead following the collapse of a steel structure at a construction site on Rama II Road in the early hours of the morning of 15 March. Rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate and assist those still trapped under the debris.

 

The collapse occurred near Soi Rama II 25 in Bang Mot, Chom Thong district, where an elevated expressway was under construction. Emergency responders reported that 20 workers had been on-site at the time of the incident.

 

 

According to updates from the Rama 199 emergency radio centre, rescue teams have successfully extracted some workers. One body was discovered in Zone A of the collapsed site, with a second victim found in Zone D shortly after. A third fatality was later confirmed as search efforts continued.

 

Specialist rescue units, including the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department and the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, remain on-site, working through the wreckage to locate any remaining survivors.

 

Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the collapse, and a full investigation is expected. The incident has further heightened concerns over construction safety along Rama II Road, which has been plagued by repeated infrastructure failures in recent years.

 

-- 2025-03-15

 

 

 

[hotsun]

Quote

raising concerns about the safety of the entire construction project.

What else is new. Assuming anything is safe here is the first mistake

[ikke1959]

I don't like to ride to Bangkok as they are constructing the elevated road.. Always scared that something falls down or that you get crushed. It is not the first accident that happens here and will not be the last. Safety for the workers and the traffic is far from safe, and now they have to rush to finish the project.. Sad that lives are lost, people get injured and maybe never able to work anymore, and nobody will be held responsible for it..Thailand....

[thesetat]

35 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

I don't like to ride to Bangkok as they are constructing the elevated road.. Always scared that something falls down or that you get crushed. It is not the first accident that happens here and will not be the last. Safety for the workers and the traffic is far from safe, and now they have to rush to finish the project.. Sad that lives are lost, people get injured and maybe never able to work anymore, and nobody will be held responsible for it..Thailand....

Hehe you are not kidding. When i drive through there I am always on the lookout for something that may drop in front of me. There are no ways to avoid driving that though. 

This road has been a nightmare for several years already and it seems that more accidents are occuring now than before. Perhaps due to rushing the work or incompetence in the construction but it does not really matter anymore. Nothing will happen with any investigation. Payments will be made albeit small ones with the workers injured and construction will continue. 

I do worry though about the integrity of the road when it is finished. Will it be safe to drive on if it is not even safe when building it? 

[JimHuaHin]

Yet again!!!

 

Safety first?  Not in Thailand.

 

Rama II traffic congestion will be a major headache for the next few days.

 

Thankfully, this accident did not happen during daylight, as the death toll could have been substantially higher.

 

Will the Government Minister responsible resign?  Not in Thailand.

[Tropicalevo]

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A section of an elevated expressway under construction on Rama II Road collapsed early  morning, on 15 March,

 

It's a sad day when I read the above headline and say "Again!"

I hope that I never have to travel on that overpass.

Or even underneath it.

[lordgrinz]

Deja Vu.....again, and again, and again.....is anyone keeping count on these Rama II construction disasters?

[Tropicalevo]

35 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

Deja Vu.....again, and again, and again.....is anyone keeping count on these Rama II construction disasters?

Bangkok Post gave an update today on the accidents that resulted in fatalities.

 

From the Bangkok Post

 

Quote

Previous construction accidents on Rama 2 Road have resulted in fatalities. One of the accidents took place on Nov 29 last year when a sling broke, resulting in six deaths and eight injuries. Another accident took place on Jan 18 last year when a sling snapped, killing a worker and causing the crane's lifting basket to fall. In May 2023, a worker was killed by a falling concrete slab.

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Collapse of Rama 2 Elevated Highway Construction Site Leaves 5 Dead

Pictures from responders.

 

In the incident that occurred early on morning of 15 March, a section of the under-construction Rama 2 elevated highway collapsed, resulting in the deaths of five construction workers and leaving many others injured. 

 

The collapse occurred just before 02:00 near Soi Rama 2, Soi 25, in the Bang Mot sub-district of Chom Thong, Bangkok. Rescue operations remain ongoing into the morning, with authorities working tirelessly to search for survivors and clear the debris.

 

 

The collapse is believed to have happened during the pouring of concrete for a crossbeam connecting support pillars of the elevated highway. Witnesses reported hearing loud cracking sounds before the structure gave way, sending tons of steel and concrete crashing down. At the time of the incident, around 30 workers were on-site. Tragically, five workers lost their lives, while 20 others sustained injuries, some are believed to remain trapped under the rubble.

Rescue teams, including firefighters, USAR teams, disaster response units, forensic experts, and volunteers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation, were dispatched to the scene immediately. Heavy machinery, including cranes, was deployed to lift the debris and assist in the search for survivors. K9 units were also brought in to help locate any individuals still trapped.

The collapse has severely disrupted traffic in the area, as the Rama 2 highway is a major artery connecting Bangkok to Samut Sakhon and other western provinces. The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) has temporarily closed the entrance and exit ramps of the Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway near the Daowadueng toll plaza. Motorists heading into the city are advised to use the Bang Pakae intersection and Suksawat Road as an alternative route. Those traveling toward Samut Sakhon are urged to exit at Suksawat Road and continue onto Rama 2 Road.

 

Dr. Amorn Pimanmas, President of the Structural Engineers Association of Thailand, provided preliminary insights and analysis into the possible causes of the collapse. He suggested three potential factors:

 

1. Concrete Pouring Process: The collapse may have been triggered by the weight of freshly poured concrete on the crossbeam, which could have exceeded the load-bearing capacity of the temporary support structures.

 

2. Structural Integrity of Temporary Supports: The steel trusses supporting the crossbeam may have failed due to insufficient strength or improper connections.

 

3. Anchoring System: The connection points between the steel trusses and the support pillars may not have been robust enough to handle the stress.

 

A formal investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the collapse. Authorities have suspended all construction activities at the site until further notice.

 

One worker, described the terrifying moments leading up to the collapse. "We were pouring concrete when we heard two loud cracking sounds. Before we knew it, the entire structure came crashing down. Some of my colleagues were trapped under the debris," he recounted.

Police General Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, is scheduled to visit the site later today to assess the situation and oversee the investigation. Meanwhile, the Expressway Authority has assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety of the construction site and prevent similar incidents in the future.

 

As of 09:00 rescue teams have successfully extracted 16 injured workers (12 men and 4 women) from the rubble. Two bodies were recovered earlier, and three additional fatalities were confirmed during subsequent search operations. Four workers remain trapped on a support pillar, and rescue teams are working to bring them to safety.

 

-- 2025-03-15

 

[Georgealbert]

29 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Bangkok Post gave an update today on the accidents that resulted in fatalities.

 

From the Bangkok Post

 

 

In the topic of the last major incident, on 29 November, 2024.

 

 

This link was posted, to Khoasod English News.

 

 

[ronster]

This and many other things like bus crashes etc show a real need for a health & safety board to be set up here.

But no doubt money would clear people of blame and liability.

Life is cheap here and will continue to be unless something serious is done about working practices and regulations.

[malibukid]

not safe on the roads nor the sidewalks here.

[Tubulat]

Mentioned it recently to my friend on the ‘bypass' road between Cha-am and Hua-hin, over hundreds of metres of banjers with ‘safety first’ on them, I asked her, why would they do that?

She had to leave me with the answer

[kuzmabruk]

5 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

Safety first?

Budget first!  Kickbacks next or kickbacks first, budget next. Either way it ends up with finger pointing in every direction - but do not direct your finger at any government, past or present. 

[SHA 2 BKK]

Flew in to swampy last night and now trying to get home at Cha Am.  Going via Ratchaburi province.   Traffic very heavy and as always erratic.   
 

Looks like promises that Rama II works would be finished this year definitely out the window but I guess no one believed it anyway.   RIP to the workers and their families.   More tragedy on this terrible stretch of road.  

[Thumbs]

Needs to a serious safety review of this company and its operating procedures, the whole route has safety first signs plastering the bollards, if safety is their first priority hate to be involved in anything they think as less important. We hear about these big incidents where there are multiple deaths and serious injury casualties, this is 3rd case I'm aware of but how many single case deaths have occurred that are not deemed as important have there been since this project started.. what year are we on 10+. They moan constantly about the smog in bkk but build another expressway into the capital, high speed train with multiple park and ride car parks would have been a better option

[newbee2022]

I'm not sure but there was a similar accident already some weeks ago.

I think it's a good advice not to take that road, even it is open for traffic.

Too much sand in the concrete?

Somebody too greedy?

We'll never know....😵‍💫

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Rama 2 Road Construction Collapse: Five Dead, Two Still Missing

Pictures from responders.

 

The construction incident that occurred early morning on 15 March, Rama 2 Road in Bangkok, resulted in five confirmed fatalities, two missing persons, and 29 injuries. The incident involved the collapse of a temporary structure supporting an elevated expressway under construction near Soi Rama 2, Soi 25, in the Bang Mot sub-district.  

Among the deceased were three Thai nationals and Two Myanmar nationals. The injured were promptly transported to nearby hospitals, while search efforts continue for the two missing workers. 

Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit visited the site this morning, expressing condolences to the families of the victims. He confirmed that the workers who died were employed by the construction company responsible for the project. Minister Suriya emphasised that the contractor, Italian-Thai Development PLC, would be held accountable for the incident.  

Initial investigations suggest that the collapse may have been caused by an overload of concrete on the temporary structure, compounded by fatigue among night-shift workers. However, the Engineering Institute of Thailand has proposed that soil instability beneath the structure could have been a contributing factor.  

Minister Suriya announced that stricter safety protocols would be enforced, including penalties for contractors involved in accidents. He also stated that construction work would be suspended during the upcoming Songkran festival to ensure public safety.  

A thorough investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the collapse. Experts from the Engineering Institute of Thailand will conduct a detailed inspection once the site is cleared.

The names of the deceased have been released, including a 39-year-old engineer and a 47-year-old site supervisor.

 

Mr. Narathorn Yuekyen, 39 years old, from Pathum Thani Province, an engineer.

Mr. Rujathorn Harasa, 47 years old, from Nakhon Ratchasima Province,  a site supervisor.

Mr. Sitthichai Kasorn, from Nonthaburi Province,  a site worker.

Mr. Zin Ku Aung, a Myanmar national.

Mr. Naing Lin Aung, a Myanmar national.

 

 

-- 2025-03-15

 

[1happykamper]

I traveled by bus.. Home to Hua Hin... on that road last night at 10pm. Absolutely horrific road conditions... So bumpy and curving in and around construction. Complete chaos. Collapse is always on my mind there. 

 

I assume motorbikes are not allowed on that road... Because any biker would be thrown off! How do motorbikers traverse that area? 

 

A fine example of how Thai greed values money over a life. Just pathetic 

 

RIP to those who got unlucky. 

[spidermike007]

This construction project is nothing short of an Abomination, and a boil on the face of the nation. The company that is managing this project should be terminated and the chief executives should be jailed or worse.

 

How far behind is this project, a decade or more? And they're still at kilometer 36. How far do they have to go, 15 years, 25 years?

 

Just go ahead and hire a Chinese company, and the project will be finished in two years, suck up the debt and then default, no big deal. Just like every other nation on the Belt and Road initiative. 

[arick]

How many has this been now over the last few years

[Colabamumbai]

10 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

 

Pictures from responders.

 

A section of an elevated expressway under construction on Rama II Road collapsed early  morning, on 15 March, trapping multiple workers beneath the debris. Emergency responders have so far rescued five people, but many remain unaccounted for.

 

The incident occurred at approximately 01:50 near Soi Rama II 25 in Bang Mot, Chom Thong district. Reports from the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department’s emergency hotline (199) confirmed that a structural failure led to the collapse of a steel framework supporting the elevated road. Several workers were crushed under the debris, with fatalities and serious injuries reported.

 

Rescue teams from the Chom Thong Fire Station, as well as the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) unit of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, have been deployed to the site. Initial reports indicate that at least 20 workers were present at the time of the collapse.

 

By0 2:05 rescue teams had managed to extract five injured workers, who were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. The operation is ongoing, with responders carefully searching the wreckage for any remaining survivors.

 

 

The collapse extended from Soi 17 to Soi 25, raising concerns about the safety of the entire construction project. Authorities have yet to confirm the total number of casualties, and an investigation is expected to determine the cause of the failure.

This incident marks yet another construction-related accident on Rama II Road, a major highway notorious for infrastructure collapses in recent years. The authorities have urged the public to avoid the area while rescue and recovery efforts continue.

 

-- 2025-03-15

 

Looks safe to me. No wild elephants. 

[sammieuk1]

Being crushed from above is what every driver here needs to be aware of especially around Bangkok🤔Rip

[klauskunkel]

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

the Expressway Authority has assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future

You have already used up those assurances in the past, time to come up with brand-new ones... 

[Patong2021]

56 minutes ago, 1happykamper said:

I traveled by bus.. Home to Hua Hin... on that road last night at 10pm. Absolutely horrific road conditions... So bumpy and curving in and around construction. Complete chaos. Collapse is always on my mind there. 

 

I assume motorbikes are not allowed on that road... Because any biker would be thrown off! How do motorbikers traverse that area? 

 

A fine example of how Thai greed values money over a life. Just pathetic 

 

RIP to those who got unlucky. 

 

I have done this route a few times since December and know exactly what you mean. My friend called me this morning to tell me about the collapse. I didn't quite get it until I saw these photos. My heart goes out to the poor workers who have suffered.  It will be interesting to hear what the engineers find.

 

 

[MadAtMatrix]

Thailand, the Hub of Highway Collapses

 

 

so is it the questionable ability of the engineers? Or is it the unskilled labour that is entrusted with the safety of millions of commuters that travel these roads every year. 

[timendres]

My father was a civil engineer for the state of Michigan, USA.

He told me of many stories of fatalities during construction projects.

He really drove home that construction is an inherently dangerous phase of development.

That said, the number of incidents here speaks to a clear need for better management.

The workers in the field can only perform as well as they are directed.

They are not engineers and can only pray they are being deployed safely.

[Gandtee]

Wasn't it just last November, after another accident in the construction of the Rama 2 road, that the government threatened the construction company with withdrawal from the project and a ban on future government projects if there were another accident? Yeah, right. And here we are again with a similar accident.