A construction accident early Saturday morning on Rama II Road, at approximately 1:48 AM, has left several workers injured and has raised serious questions about construction safety management standards. The incident involved the collapse of the bridge structure related to the Rama 3-Dao Khanong Expressway, causing significant disruption to traffic on one of Thailand's major highways.
Rama II Road, designated as Highway No. 35, is significant as it stretches 84.041 kilometers across several provinces, including Bangkok and Samut Sakhon, serving as one of the primary routes for those traveling south. Due to its economic importance, the road sees daily traffic volumes averaging over 200,000 vehicles, making it prone to congestion and accidents, especially as construction projects increase along this key transport artery.
Just hours before the accident, traffic reports indicated congestion on Rama II Road, involving at least 199 vehicles and causing varied collisions. The accident spot is located near Soi 25, Bang Mot area of Chom Thong District. Fire and rescue officials responded rapidly, emphasizing the urgent need for safety checks as they arrived on scene to investigate.
This construction site has been under scrutiny due to its numerous active projects. Reports indicate there have been four significant projects, including three managed by the Department of Highways and one by the Expressway Authority of Thailand, underway since 2018. The project details are as follows: The recently completed extension project from Bang Khun Thian to Ekachai, the construction of the Thonburi – Pak Thor section of Highway No. 35, and another project linked to the expressway, extending toward Ban Phaeo, expected to be operational fully by 2025.
While these improvements aim to reduce congestion and improve travel safety, they have also escalated risks. On several occasions, accidents have been reported, raising alarms from the local community and transport officials about the adequacy of safety protocols. This recent structural failure, leading to injuries and possibly fatalities among workers, has reignited concerns surrounding these construction oversights.
Suriyah Jungruengkit, Thailand's Minister of Transport, indicated the government's intention to implement stricter regulations to avoid similar tragedies. "Despite my expectations, the construction of this bridge was not safely managed. We must do more to safeguard our workforce as well as the public using these roads," he stated. The Minister's comments highlight the prevailing fears about the rapid construction pace and the accompanying risks.
It is worth noting incidents such as this have historical precedence. The Rama II road area has seen multiple construction accidents over recent years, emphasizing the recurring issues within Thailand’s highway infrastructure projects. Back as recently as November 2024, another bridge collapse along this route had raised similar safety concerns, leaving local authorities and the community searching for answers.
This latest accident not only disrupts traffic flow but also serves as yet another reminder of the need for rigorous project oversight and management. Given the highway's economic significance, the government is urged to take tough measures to prevent future incidents. Traffic congestion is likely to continue until officials can establish improved safety protocols and traffic management strategies.
Looking forward, the community and stakeholders are poised to demand accountability from both officials and construction companies involved. There is hope for enhanced safety measures as proactive steps are urgently needed to prevent fatal accidents moving forward. The Rama II Road remains not only pivotal for transit routes across Thailand but also serves as the backbone of economic activity connecting Bangkok to southern provinces.
With more projects slated for completion, it’s apparent the importance of effective governance and construction safety cannot be overstated. Only with commitment and resource allocation to safety and infrastructure can authorities expect to safeguard lives and keep traffic flowing smoothly.