Concrete Foundation Collapses into Bang Pakong River as Owner Fails to Rescue Valuables in Time
A residential home and motorcycle repair shop collapsed into the Bang Pakong River in Chachoengsao on May 3 after ground subsidence weakened the concrete foundation, likely triggered by heavy rainfall two days prior.
At 3:30 PM on May 3, 2025, rescue officials from Chachoengsao received a report of a residential structure collapsing into the Bang Pakong River in Ban Mai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chachoengsao Province, and immediately coordinated with local authorities and relevant agencies to respond.
The incident destroyed a residential home and adjoining motorcycle repair shop belonging to 63-year-old Vidhun, which collapsed approximately 30 meters into the Bang Pakong River. The collapse was caused by ground subsidence beneath the concrete foundation near Saicharl Temple's embankment. Community members attempted to rescue valuable items from both the repair shop and residence and managed to move some possessions to safety.
Vidhun recounted that no one was inside the home or repair shop at the time, but he heard several loud cracking sounds from the concrete foundation. He attempted to rush in and grab valuable items but didn't have time before the collapse occurred. The incident happened rapidly—after the final cracking sound, the concrete foundation settled and caused the temple embankment to collapse into the Bang Pakong River immediately. The subsidence is believed to have resulted from heavy rain that fell in the area two days prior, which may have caused the soil beneath the concrete foundation to shift and collapse.
Venerable Dhamma Kittipanyo, abbot of Saicharl Temple at Rangsee, explained that the temple's embankment had stood for many years without problems. The concrete area where the collapse occurred was originally riverbank soil, which the temple had filled in to create a paved surface with stairs leading down to the water. Previously, temple visitors could park vehicles and walk in this area without issue.
This time, the soil beneath the concrete foundation appears to have shifted, causing a slide that impacted the embankment structure built years earlier, bringing it down into the river. Initial damage assessments are difficult as water levels are currently low; further subsidence may occur when water levels rise. Intermittent cracking sounds are still being heard. Authorities have been alerted to conduct safety inspections and cordon off the area to prevent further accidents.
