Bangkok Sinkhole: Concreting Races to Stabilize Void  

BANGKOK, Sept 26 (TNA) – Multi-agency emergency teams continued operations Friday at the massive sinkhole on Samsen Road, focusing on pouring concrete, mitigating structural risks to the nearby police station, and installing advanced monitoring equipment.

Concreting and Stabilization

Cement trucks continued pouring concrete into the giant sinkhole, marking the second consecutive day of stabilization efforts outside Vajira Hospital and Samsen Police Station. Authorities expect to use approximately 200 more cement trucks today to complete the foundational base, adding to the 140 loads poured overnight.

Assistant Professor Tanet Wirasiri of the Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT) confirmed the final 200 truckloads should be added tonight. He clarified that concrete observed flowing into the underground train tunnel was intended to seal existing leaks and crevices.

Structural Risk and Monitoring

Safety concerns persist for the adjacent Samsen Police Station. The newly completed police station was scheduled to open next month before the sinkhole incident compromised its foundation. Engineers have deployed 3D laser scanning equipment to continuously monitor the building’s movement and tilt. Officials are worried that utility cables and power lines currently pulling on the structure could induce collapse, prompting officials to consider cutting these cables to eliminate the strain. The detailed data from the 3D scans is critical for determining if the station building is safe to retain.

Restoration and Mitigation

Once the concrete cures, the restoration phase will begin. Crews will fill the subterranean void by layering crushed rock and compacted sand to build a supportive platform, particularly beneath the police station. The final steps involve rebuilding key infrastructure, such as water pipes, and laying asphalt to restore the road surface.

Authorities are also building sand barriers to protect the collapsed area from rainwater runoff, preventing further soil erosion that could compromise the remaining foundation piles. -819 (TNA)