Expressway Authority Confirms Burapha Withi Bridge Structure Remains Strong, Only Surface Concrete Damaged
A lithium battery truck fire beneath Bangkok's Burapha Withi elevated expressway on May 3 caused surface concrete damage, but engineering inspections confirmed the bridge structure remains sound and safe for traffic.
Engineering teams have completed their inspection of the site, and the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EATT) confirms that damage from the fire beneath the bridge is limited to the concrete surface. The Burapha Withi elevated expressway structure remains structurally sound and safe.
The incident involved a truck carrying lithium batteries that caught fire on Highway Theprathat (Bangnа–Trat) at kilometer 40+500 on May 3, 2025 at approximately 7:30 PM. The intense blaze, fueled by the battery fire, produced continuous explosions with flames shooting high enough to impact the expressway structure above, causing some concrete surface spalling and debris to fall onto the road below.
The EATT immediately ordered engineers and expert technicians to inspect the site on the night of the incident. They partially closed traffic lanes to prevent risks and facilitate the inspection work. At 11:00 PM, the EATT completed an initial damage assessment and found that damage was limited to concrete surface spalling and deterioration. Inspection of the overall concrete structure confirmed it remains structurally sound with no deformation or warping detected.
The EATT then removed loose concrete and sections showing signs of potential collapse for the safety of drivers below, completing this work at 5:00 AM on May 4, 2025. The Burapha Withi expressway remains open for normal traffic. The EATT urges the public to be assured that the expressway structure is structurally sound and has undergone rigorous engineering inspections, and apologizes for any inconvenience caused.
