BANGKOK: A section of ceiling in the cafeteria on floor B2 of the Thai Parliament Building collapsed onto the floor on Sunday, damaging a large number of dining tables and chairs below and causing lots of conversation on social media. There were no injuries.
The incident occurred during a holiday, when the area was empty. Initial checks found no civil servants, parliamentary staff, members of the House of Representatives, senators or members of the public in the cafeteria at the time. No injuries were reported.
The collapse has nonetheless raised safety concerns. The B2 cafeteria is heavily used on working days, particularly at lunchtime, by officials, staff, lawmakers and visitors attending meetings or conducting business in the building. Officials noted that a similar incident during peak hours could have posed a serious risk to life and property.
Parliament building engineers and relevant officials inspected the site after the collapse, surveyed the damage and examined the surrounding area to determine the cause. Investigators have not yet concluded whether structural issues, moisture, material deterioration or other factors were responsible.
The area has been temporarily closed to keep people away while inspections and repairs take place. Nearby structural elements are also being assessed to reduce the risk of a further collapse.
Reopening of the cafeteria, previously expected for Monday, September 14th, 2026, will depend on the results of the safety inspection. Engineers must confirm that no remaining sections of the ceiling or adjacent structure are at risk of falling.
Although no one was hurt, officials described the incident as a warning that public areas used by large numbers of people require thorough safety checks before they are returned to service. Authorities are awaiting a full report on the cause and any measures needed to prevent a recurrence.
