Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The Royal Thai Police (RTP) has decided not to demolish the Samsen Police Station despite its precarious position near a massive sinkhole in Bangkok's Dusit district. Deputy national police chief, Pol Gen Kornchai Klaiklueng, confirmed that engineers believe reinforcing the foundation pillars will suffice to stabilize the building. Although deemed safe from immediate collapse, the station will remain closed to ensure public safety.

 

The sinkhole, which emerged last week, raised significant concerns about the structural integrity of the police station. Engineers have thoroughly inspected the site and concluded that demolition is unnecessary if proper reinforcements are made. Pol Gen Kornchai has emphasized the importance of safety, reassuring the public that he will personally enter the building first when it reopens to demonstrate confidence in its stability.

 

In response to safety concerns, RTP has provided temporary accommodations for the station's officers at three alternative locations: Khlong San, Vibhavadi, and Dusit. The move aims to alleviate commuting difficulties for officers, with orders given to address these concerns effectively. Pol Gen Kornchai also assured that if future demolition becomes necessary, no public funds would be used for rebuilding, prioritizing fiscal responsibility.

 

Key Takeaways

• Samsen Police Station will be reinforced, not demolished.
• Temporary accommodations are provided to affected officers.
• Public funds won't be used if future demolition occurs.

 

Related Stories

Samsen Road Sinkhole Repairs on Track for 8 October Completion

Bangkok Sinkhole Battle: Sandbags Used to Halt Collapse

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-09-30

 

 

Don't know what it's got to do with the police. Should be the result of structural engineers and demolition experts reports.

 

Far too early for decisions.

 

 

To save costs its been reported that some old brown envelopes will be used as reinforcement.

An earthquake like the one last March '25 and will go down

It has been reported that over 1000 tonnes of concrete had been poured into the chasm before it was realised much of it had flooded into the newly bored Purple Line tunnel. 🙄

13 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

It has been reported that over 1000 tonnes of concrete had been poured into the chasm before it was realised much of it had flooded into the newly bored Purple Line tunnel. 🙄

My daughter says that a big sewer pipe broke about 6 months ago, and a cavern was gradually created, by the sub soil being washed away..

2 minutes ago, Stiddle Mump said:

My daughter says that a big sewer pipe broke about 6 months ago, and a cavern was gradually created, by the sub soil being washed away..

Yes, prior to the collapse, the road had sunk and was flooded with water for at least two days so it was known their was a problem but, I think, the expectation was that only a small area was affected. Seems no one will confirm outright that it was the subterranean work to create the new Samsen Station for the Purple Line which triggered the collapse. 

My experience doing geological studies on Bangkok's west side. We needed accurate maps from the MWA to determine what lay underneath before we started shaking the ground and poking holes. The maps were eventually delivered to our surveyors with the caveat that the hand-drawn pipeline locations on the old blueprints may not be accurate and shouldn't be relied on for survey planning.

A large hole has appeared in the road outside Samsen Police Station. As for the cause, the police are looking into it.

12 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

Yes, prior to the collapse, the road had sunk and was flooded with water for at least two days so it was known their was a problem but, I think, the expectation was that only a small area was affected. Seems no one will confirm outright that it was the subterranean work to create the new Samsen Station for the Purple Line which triggered the collapse. 

This could be the answer. If the work down below had caused the sewer pipe to fractue. It would just be a matter of time before a cavern appeared.

21 minutes ago, Stiddle Mump said:

This could be the answer. If the work down below had caused the sewer pipe to fractue. It would just be a matter of time before a cavern appeared.

 

Tunnels are a lot deeper than water mains, sewers and the like. I would be looking at near-surface stuff like pilings and footings for buildings or road and rail overpasses.

41 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

We needed accurate maps from the MWA to determine what lay underneath

A complete geological survey of the subsurface soil beneath the entire station needs to be done. But with regard of the station pilings, I don't see how they can be reinforced such as with additional longer pilings with the station on top.

12 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

A complete geological survey of the subsurface soil beneath the entire station needs to be done. But with regard of the station pilings, I don't see how they can be reinforced such as with additional longer pilings with the station on top.

 

Fill the sink hole, with additional cement stabilisation of the near-surface soil fill under the building, then re-seal the surface. Set boreholes through the floor of the police station and do more cement stabilisation under the slab with optional underpinning.

 

There. Sorted.