Bangkok: Repeated crane launcher collapses in Thailand have raised significant concerns over the safety standards of large-scale construction projects, particularly those in public areas. The Thai Structural Engineers Association has called for immediate government intervention to halt such projects and review existing safety protocols.
According to Thai News Agency, Professor Dr. Amorn Pimanamas, President of the Structural Engineers Association of Thailand and a professor at Kasetsart University, commented on two recent crane collapses. The first incident occurred when a launcher crane base collapsed onto a train at a high-speed rail construction site in Sikhiu District. Before this issue could be addressed, another incident took place at the Rama 2 elevated highway construction site, where a launcher crane collapsed just before the bridge over the Tha Chin River.
The cause of the Rama 2 launcher collapse remains undetermined, but several potential factors have been suggested. The crane broke in a V-shape, possibly due to the steel structure's inability to support the weight. Additionally, concrete segments fell on two cars during the collapse, suggesting that the crane failed while installing these segments. The failure may have occurred at the crane's mid-section or a joint, warranting an on-site inspection to determine any defects in the assembly and installation.
Professor Dr. Amorn noted differences between the Rama 2 and Sikhiu incidents. While the Rama 2 crane broke with segments hanging, the Sikhiu incident involved only the crane's support base collapsing during its relocation. Both cases underscore the challenges of maintaining safety standards in public areas. Dr. Amorn emphasized the need for the government to pause all large-scale construction projects in such areas and thoroughly review safety standards. He also advocated for establishing an independent committee to investigate the incidents and enforce legal action against those responsible. Furthermore, he suggested amending laws to better regulate large-scale construction in public spaces.