Bangkok Closes Road After Tunnel Subsidence Damages Street

Bangkok Governor Chatchatchai Sithiphan, accompanied by deputy governors Vishnu Saromsap and Kanokwan Iamliem, inspected the subsidence area near Taksin Circle on July 9 after water leaked into a catch basin under the Purple Line extension tunnel. The leak caused soil collapse on Prachadhipok Road, affecting neighboring buildings. Bangkok authorities coordinated with the Mass Transit Authority (BTS), contractors, and district offices to implement three priority measures: First, establish a 30-meter monitoring zone around the incident site to track water leakage and soil movement, with automatic alert systems installed by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, while evacuating residents from 2-3 high-risk buildings to temporary safe locations at contractor expense. Second, close Prachadhipok Road from the Ban Khak intersection to Taksin Circle to reduce vibrations affecting soil and structures, with alternate routes suggested via Israphap, Lad Ya, and Somdet Chaopraya roads. Third, prepare traffic contingency plans for large schools in the area, including Sanam Luang Witthayalai and Satyasaran schools, by applying lessons learned from the Vajira Hospital subsidence incident, potentially adding school shuttle services to reduce parent vehicle congestion. Support equipment, power generators, lighting, and balloon lights have been deployed to assist operations.