Sudden Sinkhole Near Vachira Hospital Prompts PM to Order Probe; MRTA Halts Construction

Brickinfo News Agency – The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has ordered an immediate halt to construction on the MRT Purple Line project after a large sinkhole appeared on Samsen Road in front of Vachira Hospital on the morning of September 24, 2025. The preliminary assessment suggests that the collapse was caused by the sudden movement of soil and groundwater into the tunnel construction area. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or fatalities in the incident.

Government Officials Respond to the Incident

The collapse occurred at the site of the entrance-exit 4 for Vachira Hospital Station (PP19), which is part of the MRT Chalong Ratchadham Line (Purple Line) extension. Following the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Pipat Ratchakitprakarn assigned Deputy Minister Mallika Jiraphanvanich to inspect the site with MRTA Governor Kajpajon Udomthamphakdee. The governor immediately ordered the suspension of all construction activities at the location to allow for a full investigation into the cause, while also cordoning off the hazardous area and evacuating nearby residents.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt also visited the site to assess the damage. The Prime Minister instructed all relevant agencies to coordinate their efforts, specifically directing MRTA to gather detailed information on the damage and the cause. He also called for a collaborative analysis with experts from the Engineering Institute of Thailand, the Council of Engineers, the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) Department of Public Works, and other academic institutions to prevent future incidents and expedite the restoration of the area.

Public Safety and Hospital Services Affected

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stated that the BMA is cooperating with all agencies to manage the situation. The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) and the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) immediately addressed the public utility systems to mitigate further risks. MRTA is working to backfill the tunnel to prevent additional soil slippage. The Governor noted that the areas around Samsen Metropolitan Police Station and nearby shophouses remain dangerous, with a 100-meter exclusion zone established for public safety. He also warned that rainfall could worsen the situation with further ground slippage.

The Governor confirmed that no one was injured in the collapse, though three vehicles were damaged. The affected area has been declared a no-entry zone. Meanwhile, Vachira Hospital has temporarily suspended its outpatient services for two days, from September 24 to 25, to ensure safety and ease traffic congestion, though inpatient and emergency services continue as normal. Assistant Professor Dr. Jakrawuth Maneerith, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Vachira Hospital, confirmed the temporary suspension of outpatient services and mentioned that affiliated hospitals of the BMA would accommodate outpatients during this period.

MRTA Takes Responsibility for the Incident

MRTA Governor Kajpajon Udomthamphakdee confirmed that MRTA will take full responsibility for the damages. He reiterated the preliminary finding that the cause was the movement of soil and groundwater at the junction between the tunnel and the station wall, a two-layered structure that led to the road collapse.