Bangkok sinkhole: Reopening of road postponed indefinitely amid delay in repairs
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
The sinkhole was apparently caused by a leaking water pipe, which led to soil subsidence and a collapse into a subway tunnel.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
BANGKOK - The reopening to traffic at the Samsen Road sinkhole in Bangkok, located in front of Vajira Hospital, has been postponed indefinitely from Oct 8 as the authorities must first demolish the Samsen Police Station building, the transport minister said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said repairs could not be completed in time for traffic to partially resume as earlier scheduled on Oct 8
He said traffic in front of the hospital could only be reopened after the police station building had been demolished.
He said he and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul inspected the site on Oct 6, after which the Prime Minister ordered the police station to be torn down
“The police station must be demolished first and traffic cannot be resumed as earlier promised,” Mr Phiphat said.
Demolition of the police station began on Oct 6 after Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt reported further ground movement that caused additional damage at the site. One of the main foundation pillars fractured and the damage spread to another pillar, significantly reducing the building’s load-bearing capacity.
Mr Phiphat said the demolition was being done by robots to minimise risk to workers. “I can’t say when the demolition and repairs will be completed, but we’ll try to get it done as soon as possible.”
He said he and officials from other government agencies would inspect the site again to ensure safety before vehicles are allowed to use the section of the road.
The sinkhole, measuring about 30m by 30m and 20m deep, appeared on Sept 23.
It was apparently caused by a leaking water pipe
