Car fire stops traffic on central Bangkok motorway

A car on the Ploenchit exit ramp of the Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway in Din Daeng, Bangkok, briefly caused traffic to come to a halt in the bustling central business district when it burst into flames.

The Expressway Authority of Thailand Police and the rescue unit of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department were prompt in reaching the car fire and assessing the situation. The area of Din Daeng and Ploenchit witnessed the unexpected disruption in the traffic flow as the section of the exit ramp was temporarily closed.

As the fire trucks worked on putting out the blaze, the traffic build-up caused long lines on the expressway. The fire was successfully put out within 20 minutes, and the traffic jam soon abated with cars about to flow freely down the busy motorway again soon after. The car was destroyed in the fire, but thankfully, there were no casualties reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Din Daeng is a north-central district of Bangkok with busy highways cutting through. The Ploenchit neighbourhood in particular is bustling with high-end shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Ploenchit is also a major transportation hub, with the Ploenchit BTS Skytrain station serving as an important interchange station between several lines. The car fire then caused a significant backup in such a busy area.

The Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway, also known as the Din Daeng – Bang Na Expressway, is a major motorway in Bangkok, connecting the Din Daeng and Ploenchit areas to other major areas of the city and its surrounding areas. The road has helped reduce traffic congestion in the city and provides a faster, more convenient route through the city.

Even without a car fire, traffic congestion is a common occurrence in Bangkok. Incidents like this can cause significant disruption to transportation for commuters and tourists throughout the city. But the quick response of the rescue units and the police helped clear the traffic quickly and minimise the delay commuters suffered.