Bangkok: An order has been issued to halt all construction projects of Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited. "Pipat" inspected the Rama 2 area and ordered a halt to all elevated construction projects by Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited. He indicated that repeated violations on two consecutive days could lead to the company being blacklisted, and a parallel investigation committee has been formed.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, along with his delegation, inspected the site of the collapsed bridge structure on Rama 2 Road. He ordered the closure of the main lanes for 24 hours, deployed cranes and machinery to manage the situation, and cordoned off the area for safety.
An accident occurred involving a launching gantry (LG) falling during the construction of the M82 motorway section Ekachai-Ban Phaeo (Section 7) at kilometer 30 on Rama 2 Road. The incident was reported to the area to oversee the situation and monitor the progress of rescue efforts.
Following the site visit, Mr. Pipat stated that the most urgent priority is to remove the bodies of the deceased from the accident site as quickly as possible. Initially, it is expected that one body can be recovered, while the other will be retrieved by tomorrow. The main obstacle is a large, heavy concrete slab covering the body. Meanwhile, restoring the road surface is expected to take approximately 15 days.
Mr. Pipat stated that this incident was a regrettable loss, especially on Rama 2 Road, a route that has been a source of concern for road users due to the ongoing construction of elevated structures. This is also a repeat of a similar incident that occurred at the end of 2024. The Ministry of Transport and the Department of Highways have strictly instructed contractors, particularly those subcontracting work to other companies, to ensure strict control and supervision.
Later that same day, at 3:00 PM at Government House, the Prime Minister convened an urgent meeting on construction safety under the Ministry of Transport following the collapse of two cranes within two days. Further measures are expected to be announced. Meanwhile, the Department of Highways ordered a halt to all elevated structure projects by Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited, under its supervision, and ordered a retrospective investigation of all projects to determine whether the recurring incidents were due to human error or a procedural error.
Regarding the construction site where the incident occurred, Mr. Pipat noted that it was during a construction pause. According to procedure, a structural integrity check should have been conducted before such a break. However, the incident still happened, demonstrating the need for a thorough and comprehensive investigation.
When asked about the information reported by Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited, Mr. Pipat stated that the company needed to conduct a thorough investigation, including examining the site supervisors during the incident, the post-assembly process tests, and the reasons why the structure still collapsed despite the inspections. The company is responsible for finding the facts within its own investigation.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport will establish a parallel fact-finding committee. This committee will not rely solely on information from the contractor and will invite independent experts to assess and analyze the data, fairly comparing the contractor's information with government data. The investigation will trace the entire work process, from the night before the incident, including the assembly of the components, the foreman's supervision, and the additional oversight by the supervising company. All aspects will be investigated.
Mr. Pipat also addressed the penalties for contractors involved in repeated accidents, stating that the Ministry of Transport already has measures in place. He added that the contractor in question has other projects to complete, and that he and the Prime Minister are expected to issue further clear instructions after the meeting.
When asked by reporters whether this case might lead to a "blacklist," Mr. Pipat said, "It's close, but there will definitely be measures taken because this incident happened twice in two days." He emphasized that blacklisting is a measure with a significant impact on contracting companies, requiring them to exercise much greater caution in their work. If they cannot maintain safety standards, they may lose future business opportunities. He added that to avoid such a measure, the only thing they must do is ensure that construction is truly safe.