Transport Deputy Apologizes For Subway Tunnel Water Leak

Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angsakulkiarti inspected the water leak at the Purple Line southern extension tunnel construction site near the Bon Kai-Ratsadornburana section on July 10, 2569, reporting that road subsidence is slowing to a positive rate of only 8 centimeters per day, down from over 20 centimeters the previous day. Previously, the road was sinking at an average rate of 1-2 centimeters per hour, but subsidence is now occurring in intervals depending on work conditions, indicating some success in sealing breaches. Angsakulkiarti stated that work crews have increased machinery to expedite gap-filling operations, and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the State Railway of Thailand coordinated to remove an overhead bridge to facilitate repair work. The structure itself has not tilted further since yesterday, with monitoring occurring every 30 minutes. Regarding construction standards, the contractor already has engineering guidelines in place, though investigations continue into the root cause of the incident. The State Railway had previously detected water seepage and attempted remedial measures before closing traffic for repairs and evacuating residents. Officials must wait for water to dry before determining the exact size of the cracks causing the leak, but initial estimates suggest 7-12 days to seal using engineering methods that equalize internal and external pressure. The contractor's insurance will compensate affected residents, with the contractor responsible for caring for displaced people. Angsakulkiarti apologized for the incident and pledged the ministry would address the problem swiftly while prioritizing public safety. When asked about an investigation committee, he noted that this morning domestic and international experts, including the Department of Public Works and related agencies, were invited to discuss findings from their respective engineering perspectives.