Sikhiu: A construction crane collapse in Sikhiu, Nakhon Ratchasima province, has once again drawn attention to the safety measures in large-scale construction projects. The incident involved a launching crane that fell onto a train, causing multiple injuries and fatalities.
According to Thai News Agency, Professor Dr. Amorn Pimanamas, President of the Structural Engineers Association of Thailand and a professor at Kasetsart University, explained that the crane was a sliding steel truss used in the high-speed rail project. The crane's support structure, weighing 20-30 tons, fell onto the train below, causing it to overturn. The exact cause of the collapse remains unknown, but four potential causes have been identified. These include issues with the movement of the crane post-construction, problems with the steel support base, and potential installation errors.
The project in question is part of the Korat High-Speed Rail (Thailand-China) initiative, specifically Contract 3-4, being constructed by Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited (ITD). The construction is nearly complete, with over 99% of the work finished.
The Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project is a significant undertaking, with its first phase encompassing the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima section. This phase is divided into 14 contracts, 10 of which are currently under construction. The first phase has an investment budget of approximately 179 billion baht and is expected to be operational by 2029.
Notably, similar crane collapse incidents have occurred twice before, including the Lat Krabang-On Nut elevated bridge in 2023 and the Rama 2 elevated highway in 2024, both resulting in fatalities and injuries. These incidents underscore the need for improved safety protocols in public construction projects.