Samut Sakhon —
Morning commuters faced major disruption today after a section of Rama II Road in Samut Sakhon collapsed, leaving a pickup truck nose-down in a gaping hole and traffic gridlocked in both directions.
At approximately 6:30 a.m., the incident occurred on the inbound lanes toward Bangkok near the Big Song intersection. The parallel lane surface suddenly gave way, creating a cavity large enough to swallow a pickup truck. The vehicle plunged forward into the depression, though the driver was reported safe.
The collapse forced traffic into a single remaining lane, immediately causing heavy congestion on both inbound and outbound routes. Compounding the situation, a burst water pipe flooded the main carriageway, further reducing flow and heightening risks for motorists.
By 7:30 a.m., highway officials managed to reopen the main lanes to ease the backlog. Crews worked to drain floodwater and stabilize the damaged section, but congestion remained severe, with tailbacks stretching as far as the industrial estate zone.
Rama II Road, a vital artery linking Bangkok to southern Thailand, has long been plagued by subsidence and infrastructure failures. Frequent collapses and flooding have earned it notoriety among drivers, raising concerns about road safety and the durability of underground utilities.
Authorities are now investigating the cause of the latest collapse and assessing long-term solutions to prevent similar incidents. For now, motorists are advised to expect delays and exercise caution when traveling through the affected area.
This comes just days after two recent crane collapses killed dozens, one also on Rama II as seen below.
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For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
