BANGKOK, Sept 25 (TNA) – Thai authorities are rushing to fill a massive sinkhole that opened up in front of Vajira Hospital, with officials citing a burst water pipe as the likely cause.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt expressed concern over potential complications from rain and declared the area a disaster zone. He ordered the removal of concrete and debris from the hole, stating these objects would block stabilizing efforts and risk further collapse.
The Governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) confirmed that a ruptured water pipe at a depth of three meters likely pushed soil and water pressure down into the adjacent under-construction subway tunnel and station which is under construction, triggering the significant subsidence.
The MRTA pledged to complete the first phase—sealing gaps with sandbags and cement, then restoring the road surface—within two weeks to reopen traffic. A second phase will focus on repairing the tunnel and station.
Separately, officials are investigating a sudden appearance of standing water on Samsen Road near another subway construction site, two kilometers from the hospital, raising public fear of a repeated collapse. -819 (TNA)
