The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has closed the Gesagomon Bridge in the city’s Dusit district for urgent repairs following an embankment collapse on Sunday night. The closure, which took effect on Monday, is expected to last for five days, significantly disrupting traffic in the surrounding areas, including Amnuay Songkhram Road, a critical route leading to the collapse site.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt visited the site early Monday morning to assess the situation and provide updates to the public. He attributed the collapse to ongoing construction work on the new embankments of the Prem Prachakorn Canal, which runs under the bridge. The project also involved dredging the canal to improve water flow, but the combination of these activities appears to have compromised the stability of the embankment.
“No vehicles were caught in the incident, and fortunately, there were no casualties,” Sittipunt reassured the public. However, the situation is a reminder of the risks posed by construction work in densely populated urban areas. The collapse reportedly occurred around 9 PM on Sunday, just hours after local residents noticed large cracks forming on the road surface nearby.
The embankment’s collapse late Sunday night has been linked to the simultaneous construction and dredging activities in the Prem Prachakorn Canal. According to an official briefing given to Governor Sittipunt at the site, the embankment initially showed signs of subsidence, causing damage to a nearby water main. Water from the broken pipe then washed away the foundation supporting the bridge’s embankment, eventually leading to the collapse.
Local residents reported seeing large fissures in the road surface earlier in the evening, signaling that the ground underneath had become unstable. “We were very worried when we saw the cracks,” said a nearby resident who declined to give their name. “It was only a matter of time before something worse happened, and by 9 PM, it did.”
Although the authorities acted swiftly by closing the bridge and rerouting traffic, the incident has raised concerns about the safety of ongoing infrastructure projects in the city, particularly those involving waterways and older bridges.
The Prem Prachakorn Canal, one of the many canals or “klongs” that crisscross Bangkok, has long been the focus of various dredging and maintenance projects aimed at improving water drainage in the flood-prone city. However, the intensity of these projects can sometimes have unintended consequences, as seen in the Gesagomon Bridge collapse.
Dredging is a common method used to remove sediment and debris from the canal, ensuring that water can flow freely, particularly during the monsoon season. While this work is critical to preventing floods, the combination of dredging and the construction of new embankments appeared to have undermined the canal’s stability in this particular case. The pressure from both activities weakened the support structure of the embankment, eventually leading to its failure.
As of Monday morning, the BMA has halted all construction and dredging activities near the site. A team of engineers and workers have been deployed to stabilize the area and begin repairs.
The closure of Gesagomon Bridge, which connects several key roads in Dusit district, is expected to cause major traffic disruptions, particularly along Amnuay Songkhram Road. This road is a significant artery for motorists traveling in and out of the area, and the BMA has advised drivers to seek alternative routes.
“Motorists should avoid Amnuay Songkhram Road and the surrounding areas if possible,” Governor Sittipunt urged during his site visit. “Our team is working as fast as possible to repair the damage, but in the meantime, we need everyone’s cooperation in managing traffic flow.”
To mitigate the impact on commuters, additional traffic police have been deployed to redirect vehicles, and alternative routes are being promoted through both digital signage and traffic apps. However, with many roads in the area already congested, commuters are being advised to expect significant delays during peak hours.
Local businesses near the collapse site are also feeling the effects. Many small shops and vendors along Amnuay Songkhram Road rely on foot traffic and vehicle access, and with the road now blocked off, they are bracing for a drop in customers over the next five days.
“We are already seeing fewer people come by,” said Somchai, a local vendor who sells street food near the bridge. “Hopefully, the repairs will be finished soon. Otherwise, it could be a tough week for all of us.”
While no injuries were reported in the collapse, the incident has sparked discussions about the overall safety of Bangkok’s infrastructure. As a rapidly growing megacity, Bangkok is constantly undergoing construction work to upgrade its roads, canals, and bridges. However, incidents like this one serve as a stark reminder of the potential risks involved.
“I’m worried about the safety of other bridges and roads now,” said a resident who lives near the collapsed embankment. “If this can happen here, who’s to say it won’t happen somewhere else?”
The city has a long history of battling infrastructure challenges, particularly when it comes to its complex network of canals. Bangkok’s canals, once a crucial part of the city’s transportation system, have in recent years become more of a flood management mechanism. As a result, they often require extensive maintenance to keep water levels under control during heavy rains. However, this maintenance sometimes leads to other issues, such as destabilizing nearby roads and bridges.
Governor Sittipunt acknowledged these concerns during his site visit, stating that the city is taking steps to ensure the safety of other infrastructure projects currently underway. “We are conducting a review of all ongoing construction and maintenance work to make sure that safety protocols are being followed,” he said. “The safety of our residents is our top priority.”
As of Monday, teams from the BMA and private contractors have begun working around the clock to repair the embankment and stabilize the bridge. The immediate goal is to reinforce the foundation of the bridge, which was weakened by the broken water main, and rebuild the embankment that collapsed into the canal.
Heavy machinery has been brought in to remove debris from the site, and temporary barriers have been set up to prevent further damage. Engineers on the scene estimate that the bridge could reopen within five days, provided that no further complications arise during the repair process.
“We are working as quickly as possible,” said one engineer at the site. “Right now, the biggest challenge is making sure that the foundation is stable enough to support the new embankment. We don’t want to rush and risk another collapse.”
In addition to repairing the embankment, the BMA has also pledged to inspect other bridges and structures along the Prem Prachakorn Canal to ensure that they are not at risk of a similar collapse. “We are leaving nothing to chance,” Governor Sittipunt emphasized.
The collapse of the embankment under Gesagomon Bridge has once again highlighted the need for comprehensive, long-term solutions to Bangkok’s infrastructure issues, particularly when it comes to managing the city’s waterways.
For years, the city has grappled with a delicate balance between maintaining its network of canals and keeping up with the demands of a rapidly expanding urban population. Bangkok’s canals are an essential part of its flood management system, but they also pose challenges for city planners, especially when construction and maintenance projects are involved.
Experts have long called for more sustainable solutions to canal maintenance, including improved engineering practices that take into account the unique challenges posed by Bangkok’s soft soil and fluctuating water levels. There is also a growing push for smarter urban planning that integrates modern infrastructure with the city’s natural water systems.
Governor Sittipunt has acknowledged the need for more innovative solutions moving forward. “This incident shows us that we need to be more proactive in how we manage our infrastructure,” he said. “We can’t just focus on short-term fixes. We need to think about how we can build a city that is resilient in the long run.”
