Bangkok house of horrors: Owner trapped as two-storey falls flat

A two-storey wooden house in Bangkok collapsed, trapping its 64 year old owner beneath the debris. The incident occurred when neighbours heard creaking sounds, prompting an investigation into the cause. The structure had been previously identified as a safety risk.

At 12.50am today, November 6, Police Lieutenant Suchat Changtham from Wat Phraya Krai Police Station received a report regarding a collapsed wooden house in Soi Charoen Krung 99, Intersection 10, Wat Phraya Krai sub-district, Bang Kho Laem district, Bangkok.

Emergency services, including the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, Ruamkatanyu Foundation volunteers, and Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital rescue teams, swiftly arrived at the scene.

The location in a narrow alley revealed a two-storey wooden house with a fenced perimeter covering an area of approximately 40 square metres. The house had completely collapsed, with the resident trapped beneath the roof tiles, crying for help.

Rescue teams worked diligently for about 45 minutes to safely extricate the trapped individual. Identified as Prakong, a 64 year old retired civil servant from the Ministry of Interior, she sustained a minor injury to her right shoulder. She was promptly transported to Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital for medical care.

“I’ve lived in this house for over 55 years. I suspect termites caused the structural damage. I was alone at home when I heard creaking noises but didn’t think much of it.

“Shortly after, the house collapsed entirely. I held onto a coin of King Rama V tightly, which I believe helped me survive safely.”

Prakong expressed a desire for the police to cordon off the area, as several valuable items remained inside the house, reported KhaoSod.

Nearby residents confirmed that termites had infested the house, causing it to tilt at a 45-degree angle. The Bang Kho Laem District Office had previously advised the house’s demolition due to safety concerns, but the owner had dismissed their warnings, resulting in the unfortunate incident.