BANGKOK: Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt on Saturday (Sept 27) inspected progress on the collapsed section of Samsen Road in front of Vajira Hospital in Dusit District, which began sinking on Wednesday (Sept 24).
Chadchart reported that overnight, 110 cubic metres of concrete was poured in, with an additional 120 cubic m placed over the damaged sections on Sept 27, bringing the total for filling the tunnel openings to 1,105 cubic m.
Concrete works are currently paused, while electric pumps with a capacity of 25 cubic m per second have been installed.
Light rainfall on Sept 26 night meant the pumps were not needed, although heavy rain is forecast for Sept 28, he said.
“(The) next steps, as discussed with engineers, include reinforcing the area beneath the metro station using sprayed concrete to stabilise the soil, followed by sand and cement fill, then crushed stone to strengthen the surface before restoring the road. The plan remains to reopen traffic on Oct 8,” said Chadchart.
He added that all utility connections – including water pipes, drainage and communication lines – will be completed to avoid reopening the road in the future.
Reinforcement of the Samsen Police Station’s foundations and piles will occur simultaneously to stabilise the building. Vehicles parked there will remain until the structure is fully secure.
The governor emphasised that overall progress is on track and thanked MRTA staff and foreign experts for their work on the subway, which has reassured the public.
He added that this incident serves as a lesson for inspections on the southern Purple Line and western Orange Line.
The governor also thanked the Prime Minister for visiting the site, boosting morale among the teams.
Regarding the request from Samsen Police to connect CCTV signals, Chadchart confirmed that the Bangkok authorities will complete the connection on Sept 27 night, allowing the public to access footage if traffic incidents occur.
On the situation of affected residents, he stated that while exact timelines are unclear, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is committed to ensuring accommodation, food and support for all, and will provide guidance through a coordination centre.
Chadchart also inspected the remaining pit and explained that all gaps have been filled with concrete.
On Sept 28, crews will remove debris, including transformers, broken concrete and utility poles, using a 200 tonne crane where needed, with preliminary cuts made for any items that cannot yet be lifted, he said. - The Nation/ANN
