Bangkok Road Subsidence: Overpass Dismantled in Emergency Repair

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has closely monitored the operations of officials in addressing the road subsidence and underground water leakage incident on Prachathipok Road. He stated that today, officials will proceed with the removal of the pedestrian overpass to create space for repairs and the installation of equipment for injecting materials to strengthen the soil. This dismantling will also help reduce the pressure on the subsided area, enhancing safety during operations. The situation is currently stable, and the rainfall has not affected the area, as the water found is underground leakage, not surface water from above. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) continues to designate a 30-meter radius as a surveillance zone, with an evacuation plan prepared in case the situation changes, and has established an operations center in the area to closely care for the public. Regarding traffic, Prachathipok Road remains closed from Wongwian Yai Circle to Ban Khaek Intersection. The public is advised to use Isaraphap Road, Lat Ya Road, or Somdet Chao Phraya Road as alternatives. Despite the closure of the construction area, residents in the vicinity can still travel in nearby areas as usual. Assistant Professor Dr. Thanes Veerasaith, a specialist in civil engineering, revealed that based on the morning's data, no further subsidence has been observed in the surrounding buildings. Data from monitoring instruments confirms the area is stable, although minor cracks on the road surface may increase slightly due to vibrations from the machinery used in repairs. Officials are currently injecting cement and chemicals into the soil layer at a depth of approximately 31-37 meters to strengthen the ground and seal gaps beneath the tunnel. Inclination meters are also being installed, connected to a real-time monitoring system to watch for the movement of buildings and surrounding areas 24 hours a day. Mr. Teerapat Katchamat, Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), reported on the performance of the national urban search and rescue team, USAR Thailand. The building displacement measurement remains unchanged at 8.3. To further support efficient problem-solving, the DDPM and the Engineering Institute of Thailand under H.M. The King's Patronage (EIT) have collaborated with the Department of Civil Engineering at Kasetsart University to install 11 additional level sensors in 9 locations around the subsided building and neighboring structures to measure inclination, which will provide more detailed and accurate measurement results. Regarding the relocation of the concrete overpass, the contractor completed the lifting and moving of the first section of the overpass at 04:30 AM and continued with the second section. Both sections have now been successfully lifted. Light rain is falling in the area but has not hindered the officials' work. Mr. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, Deputy Minister of Transport, reiterated that the expansion of the cordon is in accordance with the behavior of the subsiding soil, which is caused by vibrations from surrounding traffic. This is considered a normal event, and continuous monitoring is in place. Information Source: INN News