Steel plate falls on car on Rama 2 Road, Bangkok, during storm

A steel plate fell onto a vehicle on Rama 2 Road, Bangkok, due to turbulent weather and strong winds, prompting a three-day suspension of work and compensation for those affected. The incident occurred on July 29 at approximately 11.45am.

Sarawut Songsiwilai, Director-General of the Department of Highways, addressed the incident where a steel plate fell onto the bonnet of a pickup truck near the Wat Pak Bo overpass on Highway 35, also known as Rama 2 Road.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the incident happened outside the designated construction hours, which are from 8pm to 5am. Workers had stored steel plates on top of the project site but strong winds and unpredictable weather caused one of the plates to fall, damaging the vehicle below. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The contractor has already compensated the affected parties and has been ordered to halt work for three days to thoroughly investigate the details and causes of the incident. If it is found that the contractor neglected safety protocols, they will face legal consequences and a deduction in their score, impacting their eligibility for future project bids, reported KhaoSod.

A similar incident occurred on Rama 2 Road, where a half-metre steel plate struck a new luxury car while a family was on their way to dinner. Despite these incidents, the Department of Highways insists that their projects adhere to the highest safety standards.

They have instructed responsible units to inspect all ongoing construction projects, prioritising public safety to prevent future occurrences and mitigate any potential safety hazards for road users.

In related news, the construction of the Rama II Road expressway, currently plagued by delays, substandard work and safety concerns, has prompted Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to consider downgrading contractors responsible for the project. The state budget office was instructed to investigate possible penalties for the contractors involved.