Thailand is reeling from a second catastrophic construction accident in as many days, casting a harsh spotlight on the country's infrastructure safety record. The latest incident, a crane collapse on a major expressway extension near Bangkok, occurred on Thursday, 15 January 2026, leaving at least one person dead. It follows Wednesday's devastating rail disaster in the northeast, where a falling crane killed 32 people.
Details of the Latest Tragedy
According to the government's Public Relations Department, the accident happened at approximately 9 a.m. on the outskirts of Bangkok. A construction crane collapsed onto the elevated expressway extension of Rama 2 Road in Samut Sakhon province. The government confirmed that two vehicles were trapped within the wreckage of massive metal girders, prompting immediate rescue operations.
While official confirmation of fatalities is pending, the Fire & Rescue Thailand Facebook page, which monitors volunteer emergency services, reported one death. The Rama 2 Road project, a key artery leading from the capital, has developed a notorious reputation in recent years, being the site of multiple serious and sometimes fatal construction accidents.
Aftermath of the Rail Disaster
The search for survivors from Wednesday's tragedy in Nakhon Ratchasima has concluded. Provincial governor Anuphong Suksomnit stated that three passengers initially listed as missing are now believed to have disembarked earlier in the journey. Officials had believed 171 people were aboard the train's three carriages, which were being removed from the scene on Thursday.
The accident saw a launching gantry crane – mobile equipment used for building elevated roads – fall onto a passenger train, derailing and crushing parts of it. Provincial police chief Narongsak Promta confirmed that police are verifying all passenger details and collecting evidence, with no charges yet filed.
Contractor History and International Scrutiny
The rail project contractor, Italian-Thai Development (Italthai), has come under intense scrutiny. The company issued a statement expressing condolences and pledging to cover compensation and medical expenses. However, public outrage has been fuelled by the firm's involvement in the collapse of Bangkok's State Audit Building in March 2025, which killed about 100 people during an earthquake. Dozens of executives were indicted but none have faced trial.
The two-stage high-speed rail project, with an investment exceeding 520 billion baht ($16.8 billion), is part of China's Belt and Road Initiative. A Chinese company is responsible for design and supervision. The involvement of Chinese firms in this and other accident-prone projects in Bangkok has drawn significant attention. South Korea's Foreign Ministry confirmed one of its nationals, a man in his late 30s, was among the dead in the rail disaster.
As recovery efforts continue at both sites, urgent questions are being raised about construction safety standards, regulatory oversight, and corporate accountability in Thailand's rapidly expanding infrastructure landscape.
