Bangkok: Four crane launcher collapses in the past two years have been reported, all involving government projects.
According to Thai News Agency, the Association of Structural Engineers (ASA) has identified these incidents as part of a larger crisis in safety standards, urging for enhanced criminal penalties for project owners.
The Structural Engineers Association of Thailand has released a statement detailing the timeline and causes of these incidents. The report includes the high-speed rail collapse at Sikhiu on January 14, 2025, a crane collapse at the Rama 2 elevated road construction project in January 2025, a crane launcher collapse at the Lat Krabang-On Nut elevated road project in July 2023, and another collapse at the Rama 2 elevated road construction project in November 2024.
Professor Dr. Amorn Pimanamas, President of the Structural Engineers Association of Thailand, highlighted that these incidents, all occurring in government construction projects, point to significant deficiencies in engineering standards and supervisory safety. He attributed these issues to subcontracting practices and the hiring of supervisors, particularly for projects near or in public areas. To address these concerns, Dr. Pimanamas proposed revising the subcontracting regulations under the Public Procurement and Supply Management Act of 2017 and strengthening penalties for main contractors, subcontractors, and construction supervision consultants.
He emphasized the need for criminal penalties throughout the construction process, especially for supervising engineers who do not fulfill their responsibilities or fail to ensure adherence to engineering principles. He stated that engineers who sign off on supervision but fail to appear on-site should be held accountable, along with contractors, subcontractors, and other supervisors. Project owners also face potential criminal charges. Additionally, the report pointed out issues with unsuitable and deteriorated construction materials, including PT bars.
The statement also addressed safety regulations related to the registration of bridge construction machinery and personnel qualifications. It identified problems such as the absence of a central inspecting agency and the involvement of foreign nominee companies in contracts. The Structural Engineers Association called for stricter enforcement of the 33 safety regulations and rules set by the Department of Highways.