Bangkok: Demolition of the Samsen Police Station building is currently in progress, as officials work diligently to manage the aftermath of a significant sinkhole that led to the building's collapse. Preparations are ongoing to examine the soil beneath the structure and evaluate safety measures. Notably, there has been no movement detected in the surrounding buildings, and Vajira Hospital continues to function normally.
According to Thai News Agency, the decision to demolish the Samsen Police Station came after the emergence of a large sinkhole in front of Vajira Hospital. The demolition process began with the removal of the metal roof and window frames on the building's right wing. The strategy involves dismantling part of the upper structure before addressing the damaged foundations, particularly on the right side. To stabilize the area, workers have filled in approximately 800-1,000 cubic meters of sand, with the total reaching over 4,500 cubic meters. Current efforts include drilling to the lower tunnel, following engineering principles, to evaluate each layer's condition and reinforce the soil with cement.
The surrounding buildings remain stable, and no additional landslides have been reported beneath the Samsen Police Station. The addition of about five meters of soil and sand has successfully halted the slide.
At Vajira Hospital, operations remain unaffected, but patients are advised to use public transportation. Taxis are readily available, and pick-up points are located next to the Theepangkorn Rasmichot Building. Three complimentary shuttle services are provided: Line 1 to Sirindhorn BTS Station, Line 2 to Sriyan, and Line 3 to St. Gabriel's School, Suan Dusit University. Parking is also accessible in Soi Samsen 13.