Chaos struck Bangkok early Wednesday morning as a colossal sinkhole, over 60 feet deep, suddenly opened on a city road. The dramatic collapse occurred before the morning rush hour, around 7 a.m. local time, swallowing two unoccupied cars. Miraculously, no injuries were reported.
According to a spokesperson for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the gaping hole stretched nearly 100 feet wide, creating a significant disruption. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt indicated that the incident was likely caused by a water leak from a burst pipe within an uncompleted extension of the city’s subway system.
Following the collapse, city officials promptly cut off the local water supply and initiated inspections of nearby structures. A police station located precariously close to the edge of the sinkhole was evacuated as a precautionary measure. Fortunately, a hospital directly across the street was deemed safe, thanks to its robust underground walls.
The affected tunnel is part of the Mass Rapid Transit’s Purple Line, an extension designed to connect Bangkok’s western suburbs with the historic Dusit district. This riverfront area is a vibrant hub known for its royal palaces, ancient Buddhist temples, and traditional shop houses, making the incident particularly concerning due to its proximity to significant cultural and residential zones. The hole itself was less than two miles from Dusit Palace, home to the Thai royal family.
Once completed, the Purple Line extension is slated to pass beneath Thailand’s Parliament complex and the National Library. While the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand, responsible for the construction, has not yet issued a public statement, officials met with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Governor Chadchart on Wednesday morning to address the situation. The Bangkok Expressway and Metro, operators of the existing Purple Line, clarified that they are not involved in the ongoing extension project.
