Bangkok: The body of Mr. Sarawut Chanthason, a worker who fell into a 19-meter deep pile hole at the Orange Line electric train project construction site, remains unrecovered. Rescue workers have been unable to locate the body, with only a smell indicating the potential location at a depth of 11.5 meters. Heavy rain has posed significant challenges, requiring continuous clearing of the area.
According to Thai News Agency, the recovery mission for Mr. Chanthason, also known as Mr. Dao, age 33 from Sisaket, has been ongoing for six days after the incident occurred on May 19. The site, located at the entrance of Soi Lan Luang 6 and 8 in the Maha Nak Subdistrict of Pom Prap Sattru Phai District, Bangkok, has been difficult to manage due to adverse weather conditions.
Throughout the night, rescue teams have continued searching for the body. However, heavy rainfall has resulted in water seeping into the soil, flooding the hole, and turning it into mud, thereby halting retrieval efforts. Workers have been dispatched to clear the area beneath the hole to facilitate further operations.
Mr. Phet Phumma, Director of Pom Prap Sattru Phai District, reported that efforts are underway to use water pumps to drain the pile hole. The rain not only caused flooding but also led to cracks in the 3-layer chip pile. Consequently, a fourth layer, 2 meters deeper than the previous 7.5 meters, was constructed. If the weather remains clear, there is hope the body can be retrieved soon.
Mr. Piyalak Tinkaew, Head of Operations at the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, confirmed that although there were reports of the body being found, it has not yet been located. The complex conditions include the pile hole's depth, the surrounding area, and persistent weather challenges. Rescue teams have attempted to search down to 9.5 meters, encountering water and mud, which complicated efforts. Personal work equipment was found at an unexpected depth, hinting at the potential location of the body. Safety concerns due to equipment limitations have necessitated careful coordination between machinery and manpower.
Additionally, it was reported that Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, the governor of Bangkok, plans to visit the site this afternoon to assess the situation personally.