SAMUT SAKHON – Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has ordered an immediate suspension of all elevated road and rail construction projects nationwide pending a comprehensive review of safety standards. The announcement came during a television interview on Friday, following the second fatal crane collapse in 24 hours.

Crane Collapse on Rama II Road in Bangkok, Kills Two

The latest incident occurred on the Rama II–Samut Sakhon elevated expressway project, where a construction crane operated by Italian-Thai Development Plc collapsed onto cars in front of the Paris Hotel in Samut Sakhon around 9 a.m., killing two people.

Minister Phiphat stated he has called a meeting with all contractors involved in elevated road and rail projects to discuss urgent safety improvements. “We must ensure such accidents do not happen again,” he emphasized.

The Highways Department has suspended construction on the seventh section of the M82 elevated expressway following a fatal crane collapse. #General https://t.co/LdEtMZUHj0

— Thenationthailand (@Thenationth) January 15, 2026

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul also responded strongly, expressing frustration over repeated construction safety failures and hinting at legal reforms. “I have received the report, but I need a full briefing on the details,” Anutin told reporters. “Agencies are pointing fingers at each other, claiming they lack the authority to act. If that is the case, we will have to change the law.”

Train Collides with Collapsed Crane in Korat, Killing at Least 32

This accident follows a similar crane collapse involving the same contractor at a high-speed rail construction site in Nakhon Ratchasima earlier this week. The government is now considering a temporary halt to all of the contractor’s active sites for safety audits.

-Thailand News (TN)