Accident Panic on Bangkok Streets as 16,000 Litres of Petrol Spills After Tanker Crash

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures from responders.

 

A serious road traffic crash in the early hours of the morning of 24 May, has led to the spillage of over 16,000 litres of petrol on a major Bangkok thoroughfare, forcing a complete shutdown of the affected area and prompting an urgent emergency response to prevent a possible catastrophic fire or explosion.

 

The incident occurred at approximately 00.20, at the Ratchaphruek intersection, near the junction of Rat Phatthana and Suksawat Roads in the Bang Pakok sub-district of Rat Burana district. A 22-wheeled lorry, reportedly transporting fruit juice from Ratchaburi to Khlong Toei Port, collided with a 10-wheeled fuel tanker carrying a full load of petrol. Eyewitness accounts and initial driver testimony suggest that the fuel tanker abruptly turned onto Rat Phatthana Road from Suksawat Soi 27, leaving the lorry driver unable to stop in time, resulting in a high-impact collision that overturned the tanker.

 

The crash caused the tanker to flip onto its side and rupture, releasing 16,000 litres of highly inflammable petrol onto the street. Emergency services from the Rat Burana Police Station, Bangkok Fire Department, and volunteers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation were dispatched immediately. Firefighters worked through the night, spraying foam and water across the spill area to suppress petrol vapours and reduce the risk of ignition. Sandbags were deployed strategically to prevent the fuel from spreading further and contaminating surrounding areas or storm drains.

 

The area was completely cordoned off as a precaution and traffic suspended on Rat Phatthana Road while emergency crews continued containment and cleanup efforts. A large crane was brought in later, to assist with the removal of the overturned tanker.

The driver of the fuel tanker was injured and is being treated in hospital; police have stated that they will question him further as part of the ongoing investigation. CCTV footage from the intersection is being reviewed to determine the precise cause of the accident and establish liability.

 

Authorities have praised the swift response of emergency services, which likely averted a potential major disaster. Given the volatility of petrol and the sheer volume spilled, there was a significant risk to the surrounding area.

 

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by transporting hazardous materials through densely populated urban areas and it is likely to reignite discussions about route restrictions and stricter safety regulations for fuel transport vehicles in Bangkok.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-24.