Thailand has been rocked by two devastating construction accidents this week, shining a harsh spotlight on safety standards. In a mere 24 hours, two separate crane collapses have led to dozens of casualties, sparking fear and outrage across the nation.
On January 14th, a massive crane belonging to Italian-Thai Development (ITD), one of Thailand’s biggest construction firms, toppled onto a passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima province. The disaster derailed carriages, tragically killing 32 people and injuring 64 more. It was one of Thailand’s deadliest rail accidents in years.
Then, just a day later, near Bangkok, another ITD crane collapsed on the notoriously dangerous Rama II Expressway. This major artery, often dubbed the “Death Road” due to its history of accidents, saw two more lives lost, including a pickup truck driver. Commuters like motorcycle-taxi driver Booncherd La-orium were left shaken, describing “goosebumps” just thinking about the risks of driving nearby.
These aren’t isolated incidents for ITD, a company with a concerning history of deadly accidents at its sites. The recurring tragedies have fueled public frustration, with locals like retiree Surachai Wongho calling for urgent government action.
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has confirmed ITD’s involvement in both recent disasters and vowed a thorough investigation. The national rail operator has halted ITD’s construction, and the company has expressed condolences and promised compensation. This tragic week underscores a critical need for stricter safety enforcement to protect both workers and the public from such preventable disasters.
Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-train-crash-rescuers-crane-5860396
