Photo courtesy of Thai PBS

Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has ordered an immediate stop to all elevated road and rail projects in Thailand to review construction site safety standards. This decision follows two fatal crane accidents within 24 hours. The latest incident occurred on the Rama II–Samut Sakhon elevated expressway, resulting in two deaths when a crane collapsed onto cars near the Paris Hotel in Samut Sakhon.

The construction company involved in both incidents is Italian-Thai Development Plc. Minister Phiphat announced a scheduled meeting with all contractors involved in similar projects to discuss necessary safety measures. The review aims to prevent future accidents and improve safety protocols across construction sites.

Dr. Amorn Pimanmas, president of the Thailand Structural Engineers Association, identified differences between the Rama II highway crane collapse and an earlier incident at the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail site in Nakhon Ratchasima. He noted that the Rama II crane broke at its midpoint, possibly due to faulty bolts or assembly defects, while the rail project’s crane incident involved a failed support base.

Both events highlight significant challenges in Thailand's construction safety standards. Dr. Amorn emphasized the urgent need to address these deficiencies to ensure public and worker safety on infrastructure projects.

Looking ahead, the halted projects will remain paused until a comprehensive safety review is conducted. The government is expected to formulate enhanced guidelines and regulations to prevent further incidents and ensure that construction practices meet international safety standards, reported Thai PBS.

Key Takeaways

• Thailand halts elevated construction to review safety after crane deaths.

• Differences in crane failures indicate various safety standard inadequacies.

• Government to implement improved safety protocols following reviews.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS 2026-01-15

 

 

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

Looking ahead, the halted projects will remain paused until a comprehensive safety review is conducted.

So what's going to happen to cranes which have already been erected for projects which have now been halted? Will these cranes simply remain in place unattended for the duration of the safety review and, hence, continue to pose a risk to passing travellers in the meantime?

We frequently have to drive past a couple of elevated road projects under construction (but presumably now halted) on Highway 3 (at the junction with Highway 3140 outside Ban Phe, and the Tapong Junction) en route to and from Rayong. The thought of a temporarily abandoned crane coming crashing down on our car as we happen to be passing it is mind-boggling, to put it mildly - no matter how small the risk might actually be in practice!

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

The government is expected to formulate enhanced guidelines and regulations to prevent further incidents and ensure that construction practices meet international safety standards..

 

 

How many times have we heard that comment....international safety standards....

Wonder if the workers will still be paid while not allowed to work?

33 minutes ago, petermik said:

How many times have we heard that comment....international safety standards....

And what seems particularly disturbing from the photo is that, despite the toppled crane, the adjacent highway still seems to be open for traffic!

2 minutes ago, OJAS said:

And what seems particularly disturbing from the photo is that, despite the toppled crane, the adjacent highway still seems to be open for traffic!

41 minutes ago, petermik said:

How many times have we heard that comment....international safety standards....

It is not the safety procedure which are at fault, but the lack of implementation and enforcement all this costs money !!! in the contract there is money allocated for safety BUT ! if that money is not spent it goes into the CEO pocket, why have safety when lives are cheap in asia

Thailand is a plutocracy that is protecting the interests of the corrupt Karnasuta family's

Ital-Thai's failing company. Their Dawei financial disaster distraction resulting in dangerous cost reductions are in part responsible for every major construction failure resulting in deaths in the past 1.5 years.

Recent History:

*Nov 2024 Rama 2 (M82) elevated highway 6 deaths

*August 2024 High speed rail tunnel 3 deaths

*March 2025 Rama 3 expressway 3 deaths

* August 2025 SAO Tower 95 deaths

* Jan 2026 Sikhio Korat HS train 32+ deaths

* Rama 2 (M82) 2 deaths

That is at least 141 deaths in less than 2 years. As reference it is reported that 42 Thai armed forces died in the recent Thai Cambodian conflict. That is over three times the deaths inflicted upon Thais than at the hands of Hun Sen. Ital-Thai should have their business license revoked and the company should be dissolved or reorganized without any influence or tentacles of the corrupt Karnasutas. The board is responsible not the subcontractors where they continue to shift blame. The last Italian member died long ago. These are Thai on Thai & Myanmar deaths. A once respected company has demonstrated they can no longer safely execute major construction projects and do not deserve the public trust or money.

This Thai-Italian construction company is so corrupt and flawed, along with the fail Chinese factor, that it's no wonder it is a crap-show on everything. This is the company that that fat Pos that was hunting panthers in the national park that got caught. Time to come down hard on this out-of-control company and its impunity.

Halting work on all overhead construction projects is gaslighting when it's clear that one company is the core issue. Cancel all contracts for the guilty company and give them to more competent companies.

1 hour ago, OJAS said:

The thought of a temporarily abandoned crane coming crashing down on our car as we happen to be passing it is mind-boggling, to put it mildly - no matter how small the risk might actually be in practice!

Keep living the dream.

Notable accidents on Rama II Road

August 9, 2020: Two vehicles fell into a construction pit in Samut Sakhon because of inadequate warnings.

August 21, 2021: A worker fell to his death while installing a bridge beam.

July 17, 2022: Falling construction materials damaged vehicles and injured three people.

July 22, 2022: Cracks on an elevated bridge needed two weeks of repair work.

July 31, 2022: A U-turn bridge collapsed, killing two and injuring two others.

Mar 7, 2023: A crane toppled while lifting a backhoe.

May 7, 2023: A beam fell, killing one worker and damaging four vehicles.

November 29, 2024: A gantry crane and concrete segment collapsed during the M82 elevated highway project, resulting in multiple casualties.

Expect business as usual next week

In Thailand civil engineering health and safety f Warnings have been ignored for decades..

The latest crane collapses onto a moving train, killing dozens, and yesterdays in Samut Prakan  are not isolated tragedies. It fits a long and well-documented pattern of serious failures in construction safety and oversight in Thailand stretching back decades.

Since the early 2000s there have been repeated fatal incidents involving building collapses, bridges, tunnels, expressways and rail projects. Official data shows at least 140 deaths and over 1,300 injuries from construction-related accidents between 2018 and 2025 alone, and those figures likely understate the true toll. Major warning signs appeared as early as the 2014 Pathum Thani building collapse, yet little fundamentally changed.

The 2025 Bangkok skyscraper collapse, although triggered by distant earthquake tremors, it exposed the same recurring issues: substandard materials (including steel), cost-driven design choices such as flat slabs, outdated building codes, weak enforcement, and poor protection for migrant workers. Subsequent bridge, tunnel and crane failures in 2024–2026 show these problems were not fixed. The idea that the steel was sub-standard because it was manufactured by a Chinese company is nonsense – they make steel to various standards – it was the company that chose to buy that quality because it was cheaper are the ones who should be accounting for themselves

This is not about bad luck, foreign contractors, or rare natural events. It is about systemic negligence: lax regulation, predictable corner-cutting, and enforcement that usually arrives only after people are killed. Until accountability becomes routine rather than exceptional, these “accidents” will continue to be entirely foreseeable.

25 minutes ago, kwilco said:

In Thailand civil engineering health and safety f Warnings have been ignored for decades..

The latest crane collapses onto a moving train, killing dozens, and yesterdays in Samut Prakan  are not isolated tragedies. It fits a long and well-documented pattern of serious failures in construction safety and oversight in Thailand stretching back decades.

Since the early 2000s there have been repeated fatal incidents involving building collapses, bridges, tunnels, expressways and rail projects. Official data shows at least 140 deaths and over 1,300 injuries from construction-related accidents between 2018 and 2025 alone, and those figures likely understate the true toll. Major warning signs appeared as early as the 2014 Pathum Thani building collapse, yet little fundamentally changed.

The 2025 Bangkok skyscraper collapse, although triggered by distant earthquake tremors, it exposed the same recurring issues: substandard materials (including steel), cost-driven design choices such as flat slabs, outdated building codes, weak enforcement, and poor protection for migrant workers. Subsequent bridge, tunnel and crane failures in 2024–2026 show these problems were not fixed. The idea that the steel was sub-standard because it was manufactured by a Chinese company is nonsense – they make steel to various standards – it was the company that chose to buy that quality because it was cheaper are the ones who should be accounting for themselves

This is not about bad luck, foreign contractors, or rare natural events. It is about systemic negligence: lax regulation, predictable corner-cutting, and enforcement that usually arrives only after people are killed. Until accountability becomes routine rather than exceptional, these “accidents” will continue to be entirely foreseeable.

Totally agree BUT! untill litagation is applied to these companys for multi million baht nothing will change, at the moment the decesed family is being offerd 40,000 baht that is why safety is not implemented it costs more to put safety in than 40,000 the goverment needs oversight and to hit the contracor non compliance not with fine of a few baht but millions where is the goverment inspectors safety officers where was the risk management !!!

this is public money being spent why no goverment inspectors on site

5 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

He noted that the Rama II crane broke at its midpoint, possibly due to faulty bolts or assembly defects, while the rail project’s crane incident involved a failed support base.

Wanna bet it was Chinese manufactured cranes?

3 hours ago, Kinnock said:

Halting work on all overhead construction projects is gaslighting when it's clear that one company is the core issue. Cancel all contracts for the guilty company and give them to more competent companies.

Do you believe that anyone in his right mind would want to assume the liability of the past construction and the engineering plans?

3 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Do you believe that anyone in his right mind would want to assume the liability of the past construction and the engineering plans?

Yes. In Thailand, anything that can't be fixed with money, can be fixed with more money.

3 hours ago, Sir Dude said:

This Thai-Italian construction company is so corrupt and flawed, along with the fail Chinese factor, that it's no wonder it is a crap-show on everything. This is the company that that fat Pos that was hunting panthers in the national park that got caught. Time to come down hard on this out-of-control company and its impunity.

I hate big game hunters.

2 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

Totally agree BUT! untill litagation is applied to these companys for multi million baht nothing will change, at the moment the decesed family is being offerd 40,000 baht that is why safety is not implemented it costs more to put safety in than 40,000 the goverment needs oversight and to hit the contracor non compliance not with fine of a few baht but millions where is the goverment inspectors safety officers where was the risk management !!!

this is public money being spent why no goverment inspectors on site

Yes – this is all part of the system. Compensation is just a factor – if the company is fined by the government and loses future contracts, then something would be achieved. If the legislation (that is probably already there) is enforced and paybacks and handouts are stopped, then people will build proper civil projects ... Compensation has been the American way, but it actually isn't that effective unless proper monitoring and enforcement are carried out from the start. Civil contracts in Thailand are handed out to "mates" – outsiders don't get a look in; the funds are then divided up between the project itself and those running it for their personal benefit – it's the whole culture of Sinnamjai" taken to gorteque extremes - everybody walks away smiling at the prospect of a new house, holiday or car and a second-rate civil engineering project. You mates are the politicians, the civil servants, the judiciary and the enforcement services – compensation doesn't figure in that – manipulation of the press does though, as they own most of the media too.

7 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Do you believe that anyone in his right mind would want to assume the liability of the past construction and the engineering plans?

It's surprising that this company hasn't had it its liability insurance policy cancelled.

So Rama II Road will now be completed some time next century?

10 hours ago, kwilco said:

Yes – this is all part of the system. Compensation is just a factor – if the company is fined by the government and loses future contracts, then something would be achieved. If the legislation (that is probably already there) is enforced and paybacks and handouts are stopped, then people will build proper civil projects ... Compensation has been the American way, but it actually isn't that effective unless proper monitoring and enforcement are carried out from the start. Civil contracts in Thailand are handed out to "mates" – outsiders don't get a look in; the funds are then divided up between the project itself and those running it for their personal benefit – it's the whole culture of Sinnamjai" taken to gorteque extremes - everybody walks away smiling at the prospect of a new house, holiday or car and a second-rate civil engineering project. You mates are the politicians, the civil servants, the judiciary and the enforcement services – compensation doesn't figure in that – manipulation of the press does though, as they own most of the media too.

What you are saying is Corruption!! which i agree untill this is stamped out nothing will change

6 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

What you are saying is Corruption!! which i agree untill this is stamped out nothing will change

You seem to be the kind of person who doesn't think a joke is funny until you've explained it.... Also, the "nothing will change" cliché you are covering your cynicism with ignorance. The current incidents on civil engineering projects have laid bare the corrupt system of awarding contracts, and as a result there will be changes – I'm not optimistic they will be what's needed, but it has happened before an election that the military are trying to influence – this will do them no good. You also need to understand how corruption works in Thailand and functions in Thai culture – it is not something you can "stamp out"; nothing is black and white, but it may result in higher standards of work in civil engineering.

31 minutes ago, kwilco said:

You seem to be the kind of person who doesn't think a joke is funny until you've explained it.... Also, the "nothing will change" cliché you are covering your cynicism with ignorance. The current incidents on civil engineering projects have laid bare the corrupt system of awarding contracts, and as a result there will be changes – I'm not optimistic they will be what's needed, but it has happened before an election that the military are trying to influence – this will do them no good. You also need to understand how corruption works in Thailand and functions in Thai culture – it is not something you can "stamp out"; nothing is black and white, but it may result in higher standards of work in civil engineering.

been here long enought to know how corruption works in thailand, seen so called change!! last five minutes take the change on Cannabis legal not legal corruption is so ingrained into thai culture it will never disappear, there is no need for higher standards, thailand has a plethora of standards, it is the implementation and oversight. this is not the first time engineering projects have laid bare the corrupt system of awarding contracts, your naivety is showing if you belive this will change anything

ITD needs to be shut down and liquidated. They are in a financial death spiral. They have already killed 141 Thai and Myanmar people because they don't have the financial liquidity to execute a safe, efficient, or timely project. The extreme slap in the face to the Thai people would be to reorganize under a government bailout. Adding to the insolvency the company's directors and board are corrupt and self dealing. It will be interesting to see how the Karnasuta's fellow plutocrats decide their fate. See below:

Italian-Thai Development (ITD) PCL’s investment in the Dawei Port and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) has been a primary driver of the company's severe financial instability, leading to a massive debt burden and a liquidity crisis that peaked in 2024–2026.

The project, once envisioned as a $8.6 billion gateway to the Indian Ocean, shifted from a growth opportunity to a "sunk cost" trap that effectively crippled the company’s balance sheet.

1. Massive Capital Immobilization (Sunk Costs)

ITD invested over 8 billion baht (roughly $267 million) into the project's infrastructure, including roads and early-stage port facilities.

• Stranded Assets: Because the Myanmar government terminated ITD's concession agreements in 2021—citing "repeated delays" and "failure to confirm financial capacity"—this capital became trapped.

Non-Productive Debt: As of late 2024, ITD’s financial statements still carried development costs for the Dawei project totaling over 7.8 billion baht. Without the project moving forward, these assets generate zero revenue while interest on the loans used to fund them continues to accumulate.

2. Liquidity Crisis and Debt Trap

The financial strain from Dawei triggered a "domino effect" on ITD’s overall health:

The 100 Billion Baht Debt: By 2024, ITD’s total liabilities surpassed 100 billion baht. The company struggled to pay subcontractors and even delayed employee salaries.

Bond Postponements: ITD was forced to ask bondholders to postpone payments for two years on over 10 billion baht in bonds due to a lack of cash flow.

Bank Intervention: The company’s "Big Four" creditor banks (including Bangkok Bank and Kasikornbank) effectively took control of ITD's finances to manage cash flow and ensure essential operations could continue.

3. Credit Rating and Market Impact

• Credit Downgrades: The failure of the Dawei project led to significant downgrades in ITD’s credit ratings, making it increasingly expensive for the company to borrow money for other, more viable projects.

Loss of Government Confidence: The financial weakness stemming from Dawei—compounded by safety incidents on other sites—eventually led the Thai government in early 2026 to strip ITD of major domestic contracts (like the high-speed railway), further cutting off future revenue streams.

Summary of Financial Impact

Direct Losses - Over 8 billion baht in non-recoverable development costs.

Total Debt- over 100 billion baht as of 2004.

Equity Position - Debt to equity ratios reached critical levels (4.31 in early stages and worsening)

Liquidity - Severe cash shortages leaving to salary delays and missed contractor payments.

I wouldn't let these incompetent corrupt gamblers clean my garage let alone build out Thailand's public infrastructure. The government and their crony capitalism let this happen. ITD should be delisted and the assets sold. It's shameful that the corrupt government bidding allowed these catastrophes to happen.

58 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

been here long enought to know how corruption works in thailand, seen so called change!! last five minutes take the change on Cannabis legal not legal corruption is so ingrained into thai culture it will never disappear, there is no need for higher standards, thailand has a plethora of standards, it is the implementation and oversight. this is not the first time engineering projects have laid bare the corrupt system of awarding contracts, your naivety is showing if you belive this will change anything

I'm continually amazed at people who claim to have "been here long enough to know how corruption works in Thailand" when in actual fact they have no idea and certainly don't understand the uniquely Thai aspects of it. They make oversimplistic cynical comments that just show their ignorance – you don't even seem to understand the difference between "standards", laws and enforcement and how that works. I've worked in Thailand much longer than you, largely in industry and government offices – I have a good understanding of how things work and how most foreigners, including expats, have no idea

12 minutes ago, kwilco said:

I'm continually amazed at people who claim to have "been here long enough to know how corruption works in Thailand" when in actual fact they have no idea and certainly don't understand the uniquely Thai aspects of it. They make oversimplistic cynical comments that just show their ignorance – you don't even seem to understand the difference between "standards", laws and enforcement and how that works. I've worked in Thailand much longer than you, largely in industry and government offices – I have a good understanding of how things work and how most foreigners, including expats, have no idea

You're always right and everyone is always wrong. You're the only one who understands and they dont get it.

Got it.

8 minutes ago, kwilco said:

I'm continually amazed at people who claim to have "been here long enough to know how corruption works in Thailand" when in actual fact they have no idea and certainly don't understand the uniquely Thai aspects of it. They make oversimplistic cynical comments that just show their ignorance – you don't even seem to understand the difference between "standards", laws and enforcement and how that works. I've worked in Thailand much longer than you, largely in industry and government offices – I have a good understanding of how things work and how most foreigners, including expats, have no idea

think i know what standards are!! I work in a professional mechanical construction industry as a Quality Assurance Manager for over 30 years been living in Thailand for 25 of those years i have worked all over asia, so you know corruption is part of the thai culture and i know you dont know the meaning of the word "standars" in construction industry it is totally diffrent meaning to what you mean, you seem to be a very Omniscience person

Missed opportunity.

They should say it was a Cambodian missile and up the conflict on the border, in doing so, whip up some nationalism, especially near an election time. 😄