The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has taken responsibility for the massive sinkhole that left a hole dozens of metres deep in front of Vajira Hospital in Bangkok.
The spot falls under Contract 1, which involves the design and construction of the tunnel and underground stations along the Taopoon-National Library section, covering a distance of 4.8km and worth 19.43 billion baht (RM2.54bil).
The contractor for this section is the CKST-PL joint venture, consisting of CH Karnchang and Sino-Thai Engineering & Construction.
MRTA governor Gardphajon Udomdhammabhakdi visited the site with officials from the Transport Ministry.
The MRTA has immediately halted construction at the affected area.
It has also coordinated with utilities, including Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, telecommunications companies and local police to address the situation swiftly.
Traffic police, meanwhile, blocked a section of Samsen Road where water was found seeping early yesterday, just 2km from the sinkhole in front of Vajira Hospital.
Officials discovered at around 8.30am that a part of the road in front of Boon Rawd Brewery had water seeping out from the road surface, and the road appeared swollen in a similar pattern to what occurred in front of the hospital before the road sank, creating a huge hole.
Gardphajon said the ground in front of Vajira Hospital caved in because of soil and groundwater movement beneath the 20m deep tunnel, leading to displacement between the tunnel and the station wall, which triggered surface soil subsidence.
This also caused a main water pipe to break, allowing soil and water to flow into the station.
The exact cause will be determined through joint inspections with the relevant engineering bodies. The MRTA will take responsibility for the damage caused.
The MRTA has also instructed contractors to halt construction and close off parts of the construction site, while evacuating nearby residents to ensure their safety.
Regarding the Purple Line tunnel construction under Contract 1, which has already been completed, there was a landslide into the tunnel.
It has been confirmed the main tunnel structure and drilling were finished three months ago, and it is believed that external factors may have caused the issue, which will require further investigation. — The Nation/ANN
