Bangkok: Inspecting the structure of the historic commercial building, recommendations are given to urgently reinforce the structure and remove the awnings. The Engineering Institute of Thailand, along with district civil engineering officials, inspected the structural safety of a more than 50-year-old commercial building. Initial findings indicate that the main internal structure remains functional, but the concrete awning has deteriorated. They recommended urgently reinforcing the structure and removing the remaining awning on the first floor to prevent further collapse.
According to Thai News Agency, the progress of the incident where an awning of a commercial building near Wat Traimit in the Samphanthawong district collapsed prompted the Engineering Institute of Thailand, in collaboration with the district's public works department, to inspect the structural safety of the over 50-year-old historical commercial building, which was constructed with brick, mortar, and wooden beams.
Initial findings indicate that the main internal structure is still functional, but the concrete awning has deteriorated over time. The Engineering Institute therefore recommends urgently reinforcing and removing the remaining awning on the first floor to prevent further collapse, and warns residents to reduce placing heavy objects on the second floor.
Meanwhile, the Samphanthawong District Office stated that it had received orders from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Permanent Secretary to cooperate with the Engineering Institute of Thailand to send volunteer engineers to conduct a thorough inspection of old and abandoned buildings throughout the area in order to assess the risks and order immediate corrective actions.