Ayutthaya Bridge Collapse Renews Safety Concerns Nationwide

[webfact]

Ayutthaya bridge collapse renews safety concerns nationwide

BANGKOK, 1 May 2013 (NNT) - Following the collapse of a suspension bridge in Ayutthaya that claimed the lives of 5 people, the Interior Ministry has instructed all provinces to carry out inspections on their suspension bridges to ensure public safety.

In Uthai Thani, a suspension bridge over Khum Sap Canal is found to be poorly maintained and unsafe by a team of engineers. Local residents are urged to refrain from using the 27-year-old bridge until repair works are completed.

Prachuap Khiri Khan Governor Weera Sriwattanatrakul, meanwhile, has ordered urgent repair work on a bridge situated across Bang Nang Rom Canal. Its wooden deck and handrails have deteriorated to the point where the bridge began to tilt. Despite the risk, residents from nearby communities have been using the bridge for their daily commute due to shorter distance.

The bridge in Tha Rua district of Ayutthaya collapsed last Sunday, killing five people and injuring 45. The fallen bridge was renovated in 2011 under a budget of 8.2 million baht after having been used since 1982. The incident prompted calls from the public sector to carry out more thorough inspections of bridge structures nationwide.


-- NNT 2013-05-01

[Lingba]

Yup..It always takes a few deaths to raise safety concerns..and then as usual, nothing gets done

[Travel2003]

The fallen bridge was renovated in 2011.

The collapse was probably bad luck and not enough offerings were made.

Nothing to do with poor maintenance due to funds disappearing.

[clockman]

When they start talking of nuclear power, that is when i pack my bags!

[Robby nz]

As I posted on another topic there was a news item on tele saying that utes had been using the bridge that collapsed even though it was supposed to be a footbridge only. Reason for collapse, overloading.

As for nothing will be done : Mid day news showed a bridge In Lop buri that had been closed already pending repairs and maintainence.

Do you really think the local authorities want to see news items about people being killed because of their lack of action?

[Lingba]

When they start talking of nuclear power, that is when i pack my bags!

LOL

[Travel2003]

As I posted on another topic there was a news item on tele saying that utes had been using the bridge that collapsed even though it was supposed to be a footbridge only. Reason for collapse, overloading.

As for nothing will be done : Mid day news showed a bridge In Lop buri that had been closed already pending repairs and maintainence.

Do you really think the local authorities want to see news items about people being killed because of their lack of action?

If the local authorities are politicians, and can pocket money, and they can blame it on other?

Yes.

[thomash]

If they crazy drivers don't kill you the collapsing bridges will welcome to amazing Thailand!

[PoodMaiDai]

Meanwhile in reality, not a single thing is going to be done about it.

[Locationthailand]

Suddenly Thailand gets another hub - bridge over troubled waters...

[Travel2003]

If they crazy drivers don't kill you the collapsing bridges will welcome to amazing Thailand!

Can you imagine what will happen if Bangkok experience an earth quake?

Have a feeling there have been a "tiny itty bit" of cheating within the building codes (strength of concrete, steel, etc).

[Nisa]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_bridge_failures

This will be Thailand's first entry on the list.

Edited May 1, 2013 by Nisa

[MESmith]

Quote "Local residents are urged to refrain from using the 27-year-old bridge until repair works are completed."

Can't they close the bridge. Not by putting some plastic tape across. But something a bit more concrete.

It's the same up north. The authorities "urge people to refrain from burning". Utterly spineless.

Edited May 1, 2013 by MESmith

[Nisa]

As I posted on another topic there was a news item on tele saying that utes had been using the bridge that collapsed even though it was supposed to be a footbridge only. Reason for collapse, overloading.

As for nothing will be done : Mid day news showed a bridge In Lop buri that had been closed already pending repairs and maintainence.

Do you really think the local authorities want to see news items about people being killed because of their lack of action?

I just found the other news stories too that include pictures. The OP really doesn't make clear at all this was a Pedestrian Bridge and like just about anywhere pedestrians travel in Thailand, so do motorbikes. Also appears the recent work wasn't really to do with normal maintenance or inspection but to attempt to repair the bridge after the big flood.

[rfukata]

really, there are no safety concerns here in Thailand period.

[surangw]

The fallen bridge was renovated in 2011.

The fallen bridge was renovated in 2011.= painted over the defects and charged for a complete overhaul