Rama II Road Concrete Accident Claims Life of Pickup Truck Driver
SAMUT SAKHON, Thailand – The driver critically injured by falling concrete from an old flyover on Rama II Road has died from his injuries, prompting nationwide concern over the safety of aging infrastructure.
Amnat Thongkham, 46, succumbed to severe internal injuries late Tuesday night at Samut Sakhon Hospital, where he was transferred after initial treatment at Vibharam Samutsakhon Hospital. Doctors reported a ruptured liver and extensive internal bleeding due to the impact of the concrete.
The fatal accident occurred Tuesday morning when two large concrete slabs, approximately 30cm by 50cm, crashed down onto Amnat’s pickup truck as he was driving along the outbound lanes of Rama II Road in Muang district. Authorities suspect the debris fell from the 30-year-old Mahachai-Krathumbaen flyover.
Nattapong Sumanotham, an MP for Samut Sakhon, confirmed the death via Facebook after being informed by the victim’s younger brother.
Originally from Nakhon Sawan, Amnat had been living in Phan Thai Norasing, Samut Sakhon. His body was returned to his hometown on Wednesday for funeral rites.
His grieving wife, Chanraem Thongkham, expressed shock and heartbreak over the incident. “I would like all agencies concerned to conduct checks to the best of their ability, so that no other family has to go through this,” she pleaded.
In response to the tragedy, Thanasarn Sitthapha, director of highways in Samut Sakhon, announced that the Mahachai flyover would undergo thorough repairs, including the installation of metal netting to prevent similar accidents.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit ordered an urgent inspection of all 17,500 flyovers and bridges nationwide, including the 209 structures along Rama II Road, to ensure public safety.
The incident has sparked fresh scrutiny of Thailand’s infrastructure maintenance and raised demands for more rigorous inspections and upgrades to prevent future tragedies.
