‘Screw-up’ at Suvarnabhumi: Broken bolt brings escalator to a halt
Suvarnabhumi confirmed a safety shutdown triggered by technical fault
An escalator at Suvarnabhumi Airport gave travellers a fright this week when it suddenly ground to a halt — but no injuries were reported and engineers have already fixed the glitch.
The malfunction occurred around 11pm on Wednesday, June 11, at an escalator linking the APM train station to the new SAT-1 terminal. A video clip of the incident quickly made the rounds on social media, prompting concerns over passenger safety at Thailand’s busiest international airport.
Suvarnabhumi officials responded swiftly, confirming the issue was a safety mechanism triggered by a technical fault.
“The system automatically shut down when it detected an abnormality,” said Suebpong Khamhong, Deputy Director of Suvarnabhumi Airport (Maintenance).
The escalator was immediately closed, and maintenance contractors from Hitachi Elevator (Thailand) Co. Ltd. were dispatched to investigate. Although the stepper mechanism appeared intact, technicians found a broken screw head lodged between two steps. This obstruction caused parts of the escalator to lift and strike the end plate, which activated the emergency stop system.
“The safety system performed exactly as intended,” Suebpong added. “No passengers were harmed, and repairs were completed promptly with new equipment and full safety inspections.”
Despite the disruption, airport services continued as normal thanks to a nearby parallel escalator. Suebpong reassured the public that a 24-hour team of specialists remains on standby to monitor and maintain all critical infrastructure at the airport, reported KhaoSod.
“We adhere to the highest maintenance standards and prioritise the safety of all service users,” he said.
The Airports of Thailand (AOT) also reiterated its commitment to maintaining world-class facilities at Suvarnabhumi, aiming to bolster its reputation as a premier aviation hub in Southeast Asia.
Two years ago, a Thai woman lost her leg in a horrific accident at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok. The incident occurred on the morning of June 29, 2023, on a moving walkway in the South Corridor between Pier 4 and Pier 5 of Terminal 2’s domestic passenger section.
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