Rocky start: Sand spill wreaks havoc at Ratchada-Tha Phra intersection

An 18-wheel truck overturned, spilling over 20 tonnes of sand and blocking traffic at the Ratchada-Tha Phra intersection. Police are clearing the site after the incident occurred early this morning.

At approximately 2.50am today, October 2, Attakarn Jampanya, Deputy Inspector of Traffic at Bukkhalo Police Station, received a report about an overturned 18-wheel truck at the Ratchada-Tha Phra intersection in Bukkhalo, Thonburi, Bangkok. He promptly went to the scene along with volunteers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation.

The scene was located on Thaphra Road, where an 18-wheel truck with registration number 92-2747 Bangkok and a trailer with registration number 95-9380 Bangkok were found overturned. Over 20 tonnes of sand had spilt across the road, and a streetlight pole was damaged and knocked over.

Police closed three lanes of traffic, allowing vehicles to use only the far-left lane. They coordinated with a crane truck to expedite the removal of the overturned vehicle from the traffic area.

Boonson Suekong, the 52 year old truck driver, was questioned and stated that he was transporting over 20 tonnes of sand from Ang Thong province to a construction site in the Rama 3 area. He was using Ratchaphruek Road and, upon reaching the Ratchada-Tha Phra intersection, lost control while turning onto Thaphra Road. The truck hit the concrete barrier before overturning and spilling sand across the road, reported KhaoSod.

Officials are currently assessing the property damage and will proceed according to the Traffic Act regulations.

In related news, a concrete mixer truck driver lost his life when his vehicle overturned, trapping him underneath. Khannuch, from Phetchabun Province, met a tragic end after the ground gave way, causing his truck to topple into a 4-metre-deep pit.

Cherng Talay police received an urgent distress call at approximately 11.10am and dispatched officers to Soi Khok Tonode 1. Three rescue teams from the Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation, Cherng Talay Municipality, and the Cherng Talay Tambon Administrative Organisation (OrBorTor) also rushed to the scene.