Giant Sinkhole Throws Bangkok into Chaos
Bangkok reels after a monstrous sinkhole tears open outside the Samsen Police Station and Vajira Hospital.
The crater is a staggering 30 metres wide and plunges 20 metres deep. Locals stare in disbelief. The street is sealed off, the new subway tunnel lies damaged, and frantic repairs are underway.
Disaster Strikes on September 24
It happens without warning on September 24, 2025.
A burst water pipe silently erodes the ground beneath Samsen Road. Suddenly, the earth collapses, leaving a gaping hole big enough to swallow several buses whole.
The fallout is instant. Samsen Road is completely closed. The under-construction subway tunnel suffers damage. Both the police station and Vajira Hospital face an uncertain future. Traffic grinds to a halt.
Governor Chadchart Steps In
Bangkok’s Governor Chadchart Sittipunt rushes to the scene on October 3.
“There may be more subsidence if the rain continues, but we’re waiting for the engineers’ assessment before moving forward,” he tells reporters.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration works round the clock to fill the crater. Officials promise the hole will be packed by the weekend. Next comes sand compaction and road reinforcement. The city aims to reopen Samsen Road by October 9.
Race to Save Police and Hospital
Emergency measures are in place.
The Samsen Police Station now rests on temporary supports to stop it sinking further. Workers have already poured 3,500 cubic metres of sand into the pit—1,300 cubic metres in a single day.
Vajira Hospital is slowly regaining its footing. “Patient numbers are rising again after many appointments were postponed,” says Deputy Dean Ampan Vimonvattana. On Thursday alone, the hospital treats over 5,000 patients.
Shuttle Service Eases the Strain
To ease the transport nightmare, city officials launch a shuttle service from three local schools: Sri Yan, Sirindhorn, and St Gabriel’s.
Taxis are allowed to drop patients right at the hospital entrance—a lifeline for those with limited mobility.
Despite progress, the BMA warns of further ground movement, especially if rain returns. Engineers keep watch day and night, determined to prevent another disaster.
Will Samsen Road Reopen on Time?
All eyes are fixed on October 9.
Will the repairs hold and the road reopen as promised? Or will new setbacks plunge the city back into turmoil?
One thing is certain: this disaster reignites debate over Bangkok’s crumbling infrastructure—and raises urgent questions about the city’s readiness for the next catastrophe.
