Highways Dept closes Rama II main road for 60 days following crane collapse, prepares to terminate contract
Following a crane collapse on the Bang Khun Thian – Ban Phaeo motorway project, the Thai Highways Department has closed the main road for 60 days and is considering contract termination due to safety concerns.
The Department of Highways (DOH) has announced the complete closure of a main road for 60 days following a crane collapse on the Bang Khun Thian – Ban Phaeo motorway construction project. This decision was made after the crane and concrete beam collapsed on Rama II Road in Samut Sakhon province on January 15, 2026.
Jirapong Theppitak, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, confirmed that investigations revealed the incident was not a one-off accident, but rather a structural risk within the project that requires an overhaul. The cause of the collapse appears to be linked to the front main support of the crane’s lifting system, which gave way, causing the structure to fall. Engineering assessments are ongoing to determine the exact reasons behind the collapse and to make necessary adjustments according to advanced engineering standards.
Piyapong Jiwattanakulpaisarn, Director-General of the DOH, stated that the Rama II main road would remain fully closed for repairs. The damaged structure will be dismantled, and the remaining components on the bridge will be removed to ensure safety. Parallel lanes will be opened for public use as an alternative route.
The collapse has also prompted DOH to expedite the construction of critical areas along the Tha Chin River bridge, where supporting pillars have raised safety concerns. EIT (Engineering Institute of Thailand) has recommended speeding up the work to prevent further instability, with a target to complete the necessary construction within 60 days.
Contractor’s Penalty and Measures
The DOH has imposed a work stoppage on the contractor, which will delay the project further. Initially scheduled to open in April 2026, the completion date has now been pushed back. Piyapong confirmed that the contractor will not be allowed to claim additional time or compensation for the delay, as the incident was caused by the contractor’s failure. If the project is not completed by May 2026, a penalty of approximately 4.7 million baht per day will be imposed on the contractor, based on 0.25% of the 1.8 billion baht contract value.
To resume work, the contractor must adhere to several strict conditions:
- Ensure 100% safety at the construction site.
- Inspect all equipment and install additional safety sensors.
- Change the engineering team to ensure reliable personnel are in charge.
- EIT will oversee all work to ensure compliance.
- Provide regular updates on progress to the public.
The DOH has also set up a three-party committee with the Office of the Attorney General and the Comptroller General’s Department to review the legal aspects of the contract and its terms. If the investigation concludes that the contractor is at fault and the contract allows for termination, DOH is prepared to proceed with the cancellation of the contract.
