Big Hole Appears In Bangkok, MRT Authority Takes Responsibility

JAKARTA - Thailand's Mass Fast Transportation Authority (MRTA) is taking responsibility and will conduct an inspection, when a large hole suddenly appears the nation's capital, Bangkok on Wednesday.

Thai authorities are rushing to tackle a major collapse hole near a hospital in downtown Bangkok that disrupts utility and traffic.

The 50 meter (164 ft) deep collapse hole stretches about 900 square meters in front of Vajira Hospital, thus stopping traffic.

Footage on social media shows the road slowly sinking as water flows out of the drainage pipe, dragging electric poles.

"The land from the subway construction has collapsed," Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters.

"Fortunately there were no casualties or injuries."

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said a pipe was broken, so the water and electricity channels were also cut off.

"The hospital is not having a problem, but we are worried about the police station: it is still dangerous and the community has been evacuated," he said.

Meanwhile, the Thai Mass Fast Transportation Authority (MRTA) has been responsible for the incident.

The location is under Contract 1, which includes the design and construction of tunnels and underground stations along the Taopoon-National Library strip, which covers a distance of 4.8 km and is worth 19.43 billion baht, quoted from The Straits Times.

The contractor for this line is a CKST-PL joint venture, consisting of CH Karnchang and Sino-Thai Engineering & Construction.

MRTA Governor Gardphamon Udomdhambhakdi visited the location with officials from the Ministry of Transportation.

MRTA immediately stopped construction in the affected area.

MRTA has also coordinated with utility agencies, including the Metropolitan Water Management Authority, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority, telecommunications companies, and local police to immediately deal with the situation.

Gardphajon said the ground in front of Vajira Hospital collapsed due to ground and groundwater movement under a 20-m deep tunnel, which caused a shift between the tunnel and the station walls, which triggered a drop in surface soil.

This also caused the main water pipe to burst, which allows the soil and water to flow into the station.

The exact cause will be determined through joint inspection with related technical agencies. MRTA will be responsible for the damage caused.

"First, we need to identify the real cause and stop further ground and water movement underground. If we rush to recharge the area without understanding the root cause, further shifting could cause the same problem," explained Gardphajon.

MRTA has also instructed contractors to stop construction and close some construction sites while evacuating residents around them to ensure their safety.

In addition, Gardphajon confirmed that his party would examine all tunnels along the Purple Line.

"The inspection is expected to take time, but it is necessary to ensure public trust," he said.

"Although the possibility of this happening again is very small, we need to carry out a thorough inspection to convince the public," he explained.

Regarding the construction of the Ungu Line tunnel based on Contract 1, which has been completed, landslides occurred in the tunnel. It has been confirmed, the main tunnel structure and drilling were completed three months ago, and it is believed that external factors may be the cause of this problem, which requires further investigation.

MRTA also confirmed that contractors are required to meet special qualifications to ensure their experience is in accordance with the complexity of each construction contract.

Deputy Governor for Engineering and Construction MRTA Kittikorn Tanpao explained that although the contractor stated that the construction of the tunnel had been completed, the problem of water and soil entering the tunnel needed to be thoroughly investigated, especially at the intersection, which is a weak point and can be affected by high water pressure, thus potentially causing land subsidence.

Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction, one of the contractors for the Taopoon-Ratcfacesek Ungu route, confirmed the construction of a tunnel near Vajira Hospital had been completed a few months ago.

"Currently we are not drilling further, but the cause of land subsidence is being carefully inspected at the location," said a source from Sino-Thai.