Bangkok authorities are working around the clock to stabilise the area around Samsen police station and restore the road in front of Vajira Hospital, following the recent major subsidence that caused a sinkhole.
The sinkhole, measuring about 30 by 30 metres and 20 metres deep, opened on Sept 23, apparently caused by a leaking water pipe that led to soil subsidence and the collapse into a subway tunnel under construction.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) expects the backfilling work to be completed this weekend. Once the sand compaction and roadbed layers are reinforced, resurfacing will begin.
The BMA has tentatively set Oct 9 as the reopening date for Samsen Road in front of Vajira Hospital, which will restore full traffic flow to the area.
Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who inspected the site on Friday morning, said that rain at dawn had left puddles in the subsidence area. Workers had already filled the cavity with sand and reinforced Samsen police station with temporary supports to prevent further damage, he added.
‘There may still be some soil settlement due to the rain, so we will wait for engineers and experts to give a full assessment of the next steps,’ Mr Chadchart said.
He noted that the operation was proceeding on schedule, with city work teams and pumping equipment on standby in case of heavier rain, in line with directives from the Mass Rapid Transit Authority.
Meanwhile, hospital operations are gradually returning to normal. Ampan Vimonvattana, deputy dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Vajira Hospital under Navamindradhiraj University, said patient numbers have surged this week, as many who postponed appointments after last week’s collapse were now returning.
On Thursday alone, more than 5,000 patients – both scheduled and walk-ins – sought treatment, she said. To assist them, the hospital arranged shuttle drop-off points at Sri Yan, Sirindhorn and St Gabriel’s School, as well as taxis for patients needing direct transport from the hospital, she added.
On Thursday, about 1,300 cubic metres of sand were added, bringing the total used to backfill the site to around 3,500 cubic metres. Workers dismantled damaged concrete slabs in the cavity and pushed sand beneath Samsen police station to stabilise the ground.
Temporary short piles have also been installed to strengthen the structure. So far, no significant structural shifts have been observed, according to authorities.