Substandard slings used in Ayutthaya bridge that collapsed
Reporting progress in the investigation into the collapse of a suspension bridge that killed five people in Ayutthaya's Tha Rua district in April, Assistant National Police Commissioner Lt General Jaramporn Suramanee said that substandard slings had been
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Jaramporn said the slings were designed to carry a maximum weight of just 14.664 tonnes.
“In fact, according to specifications of the construction project, the slings should have been able to hold a weight of between 23.9 and 25.9 tonnes,” he said.
Tambon Tha Luang Municipality had paid Bt8.92 million for the bridge’s construction, which was completed on July 5 last year, said Jaramporn. The construction company had offered a twoyear guarantee on its work, but after damage was detected, it had failed to respond to repeated requests that it carry out repairs, he added. The requests were made on December 17 last year, then on January 7, February 26 and April 22 this year.
Tha Rua Police Station superintendent Pol Col Jitakasem Sonkham said police were continuing to gather evidence in the case. He declined to reveal exactly who would be charged for the fatal collapse.
“We will summon at least 10 people for further questioning,” he said.
