Two people were killed when a highway construction crane collapsed near Bangkok on Thursday, an incident authorities say is linked to the same contractor involved in Wednesday's launching-gantry collapse that killed 32. Dashcam footage verified by AFP shows the crane toppling and vehicles scrambling to avoid debris. Italian-Thai Development has pledged compensation and a safety review, while the Thai government says it will terminate contracts, pursue legal action and blacklist the contractor pending investigations.
Back-to-Back Crane Collapses in Thailand Linked to Major Contractor; 34 Dead, Government Vows Action
The collapse of a highway construction crane killed two people near Bangkok, with a Thai minister saying the building firm was also involved in a crane failure the day before that left 32 dead (Chanakarn Laosarakham)(Chanakarn Laosarakham/AFP/AFP)
A highway construction crane collapsed near Bangkok on Thursday, killing two people, in an incident authorities say is linked to the same contractor involved in a separate crane failure a day earlier that killed 32 people and derailed a train.
What Happened
Car dashcam footage verified by AFP captured the moment the large crane toppled, sending clouds of dust and scattering rubble across the road as several vehicles braked, pulled over or reversed to avoid falling debris. Rescue teams later confirmed two fatalities at the Rama II Expressway site in Samut Sakhon province.
The earlier accident, on Wednesday in Nakhon Ratchasima province, involved a massive launching gantry crane used on a China-backed high-speed rail project. That collapse derailed a passenger train and killed 32 of nearly 200 people on board.
People on the Ground
Motorcycle-taxi driver Booncherd La-orium, 69, told AFP he no longer felt safe using the route: "I had goosebumps just thinking about how risky it is to be here. It could have happened to me." At the Rama II scene, relatives came to mourn, some construction workers took photos of the wreckage, and rescuers described the chaotic aftermath.
Official Response and Contractor
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn and other officials have linked both incidents to Italian-Thai Development, one of the country's largest construction firms. The company has offered condolences, pledged compensation to victims and said it would "review and improve safety measures to be more thorough and stringent moving forward," according to a filing to Thailand's stock exchange.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters the government would terminate contracts related to the two projects, pursue legal action and blacklist the contractor involved. "It has happened three or four times by one contractor. The government is not comfortable letting this kind of company work for the government," he said.
Investigations and Suspensions
The national rail operator ordered Italian-Thai to halt work on the high-speed rail project pending a formal investigation. Authorities and investigators are collecting evidence, reviewing safety procedures and interviewing workers; an unnamed Italian-Thai employee told AFP that the crane operator who died in Wednesday's accident was Thai.
Background: Rama II Expressway And Safety Concerns
The Rama II Expressway—an important artery linking Bangkok to the south—has been the site of long-running expansion projects. Repeated delays and fatal accidents have earned it the local nickname "Death Road." In March, an under-construction elevated roadway beam collapsed on Rama II, killing several people, and a crane collapse in November 2024 killed at least three workers.
Key Quote: "We have to find out the facts," Transport Minister Phiphat said, underscoring the intent to hold those responsible to account.
Investigations are ongoing. Officials say any final determinations about responsibility, safety failings or criminal liability will wait for the outcome of formal probes.
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