Safety fears are gripping residents near Bangkok after a massive crane toppled on Thursday morning, killing two people.
The incident happened on the Rama II Expressway in Samut Sakhon province, a key route linking the capital to southern Thailand, and comes just a day after another deadly crane collapse elsewhere in the country.
Dashcam footage shared online, verified by AFP, captured the terrifying moment the crane fell, sending clouds of dust and debris across the roadway.
Vehicles swerved or reversed desperately to avoid the falling wreckage, illustrating the chaotic scene.
Motorcycle-taxi driver Booncherd La-orium, 69, described his growing unease.
“I had goosebumps just thinking about how risky it is to be here. It could have happened to me,” he said.
“I still can’t get over yesterday’s incident, and this morning I heard another one happened again.”
Same Firm, Second Tragedy in Two Days
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn confirmed that Italian-Thai Development, the construction company behind the Rama II project, was also responsible for Wednesday’s crane disaster in Nakhon Ratchasima province, which killed 32 people.
That collapse involved a passenger train and a massive launching gantry crane on a China-backed high-speed rail project.
“Yes, it is Italian-Thai. I still do not understand what happened,” Phiphat told local media.
“We have to find out the facts, whether it was an accident or something else.”
The company, one of Thailand’s largest construction firms, has a history of deadly incidents at its sites, raising concerns about safety practices and oversight.
Eyewitness Accounts Highlight Chaos
Local police chief Sitthiporn Kasi confirmed the two fatalities on Rama II.
Footage from nearby dashcams captures the panic as drivers narrowly escaped, with passengers heard exclaiming, “I almost died… Please pull over first,” and, “That’s okay now.
It’s not falling further. It’s a crane collapse again in front of me.”
Rescue worker Sutthiwat Thanomsat recounted arriving shortly after the crane hit the ground.
“Injured people were taken to a local hospital,” he said, describing the death of a pickup truck driver at the scene.
Rama II Expressway Earns Grim Nickname
The expressway has long been the site of ongoing infrastructure projects, including tollway expansion and capacity upgrades.
Years of construction delays and repeated accidents have earned it the nickname “Death Road.”
Surachai Wongho, 61, a retiree who drives the route daily, said he fears for his safety every time he travels it.
“It’s the same incident happening over and over again in Thailand. It’s time for the government to do something,” he told AFP.
Past incidents include a concrete beam collapse in March and multiple crane accidents in 2023 and 2024.
Deadly Nakhon Ratchasima Collapse Overshadows Nation
The previous day’s disaster in Nakhon Ratchasima involved a massive launching gantry crane used for the new high-speed rail.
It fell onto a passenger train, killing 32, leaving three missing, and sending 64 to the hospital, seven in critical condition.
At the site on Thursday, construction workers and relatives of the victims gathered amid the wreckage.
The crane still hung precariously from giant concrete pillars meant for the future elevated rail line, part of a joint Thailand-China project.
Italian-Thai issued condolences and promised compensation to families and medical coverage for the injured.
Meanwhile, the nation’s rail operator ordered construction halted until investigations are complete, and Transport Minister Phiphat vowed accountability for all parties involved, including the company and a Chinese consultancy.
Growing Concerns Over Construction Safety
The repeated tragedies have reignited public debate over construction safety standards in Thailand, particularly on major infrastructure projects.
With fatalities mounting and residents living in fear, pressure is increasing on authorities and companies to implement stricter safety measures to prevent further disasters.
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