At least five people were killed and approximately 27 others injured when a concrete beam of an under-construction expressway bridge collapsed near Rama 2 Road in Bangkok’s Chom Thong district early Saturday morning.
The incident occurred around 1:48 a.m. near Rama 2 Soi 25, close to the Rama III-Dao Khanong Expressway. It was reported that the beam, which was in the process of being installed, suddenly gave way and fell onto an existing expressway structure. More than 20 workers were present at the site at the time of the collapse.
Rescue teams from the Bangkok Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, along with local emergency responders, arrived at the scene to locate and assist survivors. Search efforts involved the use of sniffer dogs and specialized equipment to clear the debris. As of 7 a.m., five fatalities had been confirmed—three Thai nationals, including an engineer and two workers, as well as two foreign workers. At least 27 others sustained injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals.
A worker who witnessed the collapse reported hearing unusual noises from the structure just before the incident. The beam had been in the process of being connected to supporting columns when it gave way. In response to the accident, Chom Thong Road was closed in all directions to facilitate rescue and recovery efforts.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the structural failure. Engineers and police officials were assessing the site to gather evidence and ensure the safety of the surrounding area.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Juangroongruangkit expressed condolences for the victims and emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing safety concerns in construction projects. He announced that compensation of no less than 1 million baht per deceased worker would be provided by the contractor, with additional compensation considerations to be reviewed by the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT).
Suriya also directed EXAT Governor Surachet Laopoolsuk to form a fact-finding committee to investigate the incident and establish stricter safety protocols to prevent similar occurrences. A contractor oversight framework is expected to be finalized by April 2025. Contractors found responsible for safety violations may face immediate suspension and disqualification from future project bids.
EXAT has suspended construction at the site for 14 days while investigations are underway. Surachet stated that efforts are being expedited to restore the affected section of the Chalerm Mahanakhon Expressway. The inbound section of the Dao Khanong Toll Gate is expected to reopen within seven days, while the damaged outbound section leading to the Dao Khanong Interchange is projected to be repaired within 30 days. Safety inspections of the entire structure are also being conducted before reopening.
Rama 2 Road serves as a crucial connection between Bangkok and the southern provinces, including the resort town of Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. Traffic congestion on the route has been a long-standing issue, with officials acknowledging its negative impact on tourism. The expressway construction aims to reduce travel time, but ongoing delays and construction-related mishaps have led to increased congestion, particularly on weekends and public holidays.
Previous construction accidents on Rama 2 Road have resulted in multiple fatalities. In November 2024, six people died and eight were injured when a sling broke during construction. Another incident in January 2024 saw a worker killed when a lifting basket fell from a crane. In May 2023, a falling concrete slab claimed the life of another worker.
According to the Department of Highways, between 2018 and March 15, 2025, there have been over 2,500 accidents along Rama 2 Road from km 0+000 to km 84+041, resulting in 143 deaths and 1,441 injuries. The latest incident has reignited concerns over safety standards in Thailand’s large-scale infrastructure projects.
