Trench Collapse Buries Workers Installing Water Pipes, Killing Two & Seriously Injuring One

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture from responders.

 

An incident occurred in Khanom district, Nakhon Si Thammarat, on 17 March, when a trench collapse buried three workers installing water pipes, killing two instantly and leaving another in critical condition.

 

The incident took place at around 14:30 near Wat Suwan on Phu Chao Saming Road, behind the Khanom District Office. Local police from Khanom Police Station, along with rescue volunteers from the Pracha Ruam Jai Foundation, were dispatched to the scene.

 

Upon arrival, authorities found excavation machinery, including a small backhoe, at the site. A large trench, approximately 3 metres deep, had partially collapsed, burying the workers under a mass of soil. 

 

Responders manually dug the workers out of the soil, but two men, identified as Mr. James and Mr. Phong, were pronounced dead at the scene, while another worker, Mr. Oat, was rescued unconscious and was rushed to Khanom Hospital for emergency treatment.

 

Preliminary investigations suggest that the workers were digging trenches for the water pipe installation when the surrounding earth suddenly gave way, burying those inside the pit. The trench walls were unsupported and the machinery was working close to the trench before the collapse occurred.

 

The cause of the collapse is still under investigation, and authorities have stated that further inquiries will be conducted to determine if safety regulations were followed.

 

Local officials have urged construction teams to exercise extreme caution when working in deep excavations, particularly in areas with unstable soil. Meanwhile, the families of the deceased have been notified, and arrangements for their funerals are being made.

 

 

-- 2025-03-18

 

[MikeandDow]

Here we go again !!  No trench support ??  No safety ??  lives are cheaper than safety in thailand !!  Western lawers would have a field day with  litigation against the employer and untill this happens Thailand will carry on !!

Untill Thailand realises that in terms of money human lives matter, there should be multi million baht  litigation cases against companys who do not enforce saftey,  but we are in a backward country  nothing will happen