Two people were killed and two injured when a construction crane collapsed onto a road in Samut Sakhon, near Bangkok. The accident occurred a day after a separate crane collapse in Nakhon Ratchasima derailed a train, killing 32 and injuring 66. The transport minister said Italian-Thai Development PCL was involved in both incidents, prompting the government to pause about a dozen state-linked ITD projects and move to cancel two contracts. ITD has accepted responsibility and pledged to strengthen safety measures while investigations continue.
Two Killed Near Bangkok After Crane Collapse; Government Moves to Cancel ITD Contracts
Cars drive next to a collapsed crane that crushed two vehicles during construction of an elevated highway in Samut Sakhon province, Thailand, January 15, 2026. Thai Rescue Worker Association/ Handout via REUTERS
Two people were killed and two injured after a construction crane collapsed onto a road near Bangkok, crushing two vehicles. The accident in Samut Sakhon occurred one day after a separate crane collapse in Nakhon Ratchasima derailed a passenger train, killing 32 people.
What Happened
Local police said the crane, which was being used on an elevated highway project in Samut Sakhon province, toppled onto the road beneath and crushed two cars. Two people died at the scene and two others were reported injured. Footage and photos from the scene showed a mangled green crane and large slabs of concrete strewn across the road, with motorists reversing to avoid the debris amid clouds of dust.
Connection To Earlier Train Accident
Authorities confirmed that Italian-Thai Development PCL (ITD) — the construction firm whose crane collapsed onto an active train line in Nakhon Ratchasima the previous day — was also involved in the Samut Sakhon project. Wednesday's incident in the northeast caused a derailment that killed 32 of the 195 passengers aboard and injured 66.
Government Response
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, facing a general election next month, said his government has instructed the transport ministry to terminate two contracts tied to the two accident-hit projects, pursue all available legal action, and blacklist the contractors involved. Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the government had ordered a pause and review of roughly a dozen active ITD projects that involve the state.
A police officer and workers stand next to a collapsed crane that crushed two vehicles during construction of an elevated highway in Samut Sakhon province, Thailand, January 15, 2026. Thai Rescue Worker Association/Handout via REUTERS
Company Statement
In a statement to the Thai stock exchange, Italian-Thai Development PCL — founded in 1958 — said it accepts responsibility and will provide care, compensation, and remedies for losses from both incidents. The company added it will review and strengthen safety measures to ensure stricter and more comprehensive standards going forward.
Context And Background
The two recent collapses are the latest in a string of deadly construction accidents in Thailand, several involving ITD. Last year, a partially built tower in Bangkok collapsed during a 7.7-magnitude earthquake, killing at least 89 people and prompting negligence charges against 23 individuals.
The northeastern accident affected construction works for a cross-country high-speed rail project that is planned to link Thailand to China through Laos. Officials said more than a third of the segment between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima had been completed, with the whole line to Nong Khai on the Laos border expected by 2030.
Investigation
Investigations into both incidents are ongoing. Authorities have said they will determine causes and possible legal liability as part of a broader review of construction safety practices on major infrastructure projects.
Key Figures: 2 Dead (Samut Sakhon), 2 Injured (Samut Sakhon), 32 Dead and 66 Injured (Nakhon Ratchasima train derailment); Roughly a dozen state-linked ITD projects paused; Contracts for two projects set to be terminated.
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