Bangkok reveals the cause of the Kasetkomol Bridge neck, Nakhon Chai Si Road, Dusit District, Bangkok, collapsing 3 meters deep is because the structure is old and high. It is confirmed that it will not affect people’s homes and is being expedited for repairs. It is expected to be completed and open for use on 11 Oct.
At approximately 9:30 p.m. yesterday (October 6), the road at the neck of the Kesakomol Bridge, Kesakomol Intersection, Nakhon Chai Si Road, Dusit District, Bangkok, collapsed into a large hole, approximately 10 meters wide, 5 meters long, and 3 meters deep. Officials had to immediately close the road on the Kesakomol Bridge. Witnesses said that at approximately 7:00 p.m., the road surface began to crack along a long stretch, but cars were still able to travel normally. Then at 9:00 p.m., the road surface began to collapse rapidly, forming a large hole.
Mr. Nipon Sriruang, Director of the Canal System Division, Drainage Office of Bangkok, revealed that the point of collapse was at the bridge
neck where the canal bottom and concrete were being poured in the construction project of the Khlong Prem Prachakon Dam, which is 2 kilometers long. The cause is believed to be a broken water pipe under the bridge, causing water to wash away the embankment under the bridge and flow into the canal, causing the bridge to collapse.
The BMA revealed that the bridge neck collapsed due to the old and high structure.
This morning, Mr. Chatchaya Khamchan, Deputy Director of the Drainage and Sewerage Department, and Mr. Nipon Sriruang, Director of the Canal System Division, Drainage and Sewerage Department, BMA, inspected the damage and revealed that the Kesakomol Bridge must be temporarily closed until October 11 to expedite repairs. In the meantime, the public is asked to avoid the said route. It was confirmed that the damage was only to a specific point on the bridge structure. It is confident that it will not spread to damage houses in the surrounding area.
The cause of the bridge collapse is that this area is
under construction of the Khlong Prem Prachakon Dam from Wat Pracharabuetham to Khlong Samsen. In addition, there is a canal deck to help drain water under all 17 bridges, of which 16 have been completed. Kesakomol is the last bridge with an old and high structure, with more soil pressure than other bridges. During construction, the excavation of soil to make a canal deck caused the bridge neck to collapse, the water pipe joints to break, and water rushed up and washed the soil into the canal until it collapsed into a large hole. As for the repair, the bridge structure is being repaired and the road surface is being adjusted. It is expected to be completed and open for use by October 11.
For those using Amnuaysongkhram Road to enter Rama V Road, turn right at the Phichai Intersection onto Phichai Road to go to Nakhon Chai Si Road and turn left onto Rama V Road.
Source: Thai News Agency