Bangkok—
At 4:15 PM, on January 5th, 2024, FM91 Trafficpro reported a road on Kanchanaphisek, departing Rama 2, Bang Khun Thian, Bangkok, had sunk 60 centimeters and 50 meters wide, causing a heavy traffic backup of more than 19 kilometers.
Tha Kham traffic police closed down two of the three lanes to prevent further problems and an accident, causing a cumulative traffic jam of 19 kilometers during rush hour.
Mr. Sonthaya Srinuan, the deputy director of Thonburi Highway, publicly revealed that, previously, Thai Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) officials had requested the construction of a water pipe project 25 meters underground.
In the incident scene, the cause was reportedly from the fact that drilling processes underneath the road had problems and caused the soil in the drainage tunnel to subside and flow out, said Sonthaya.
Initially, MWA officials secured the area and prevented further subsidence and would further maintain the road surface and alleviate the traffic jam during rush hour.
As of press time, the subsidence was reportedly discontinued and relevant agencies would expedite the process, however, the complete maintenance process was to be determined in the future. There were no immediate fears of any major sinkholes forming.
