Bangkok: Senators convened to urge the government to address the ongoing problems plaguing the Rama II Expressway, warning that it risks becoming a perilous route. Senator Chawaphon Wattanapromongkol, a resident of Samut Sakhon, expressed his frustration, highlighting repeated failures to take preventative measures. Senator Prinya Wongcherdkwan called for accountability from the Expressway Governor, predicting further incidents without decisive action.
According to Thai News Agency, a press conference was held by Senators Chawapol Wattanapromongkol and Prinya Wongcherdkwan to discuss the collapse of bridge beams on Phra Ram 2 Road. Senator Chawapol emphasized that the issues on this road have been well-known since 2022, with numerous incidents causing fatalities and economic losses. He criticized the Ministry of Transport's approach of taking action only after incidents occur, urging for proactive measures to prevent such tragedies.
Senator Chawapol pointed out the lack of clear consequences for contractors overseeing the construction, noting that the public remains uninformed about the root causes. He raised concerns about cost-cutting measures in safety and environmental standards, which often go unnoticed until disasters occur. He appealed for responsible parties to step forward and take accountability for the mishaps.
Senator Prinya echoed these sentiments, highlighting the inaction following a previous crane collapse nearly four months ago. He underscored the necessity for leadership and responsibility from those overseeing large-scale projects, suggesting that without these, further incidents are inevitable. He also questioned the legal actions to be taken, urging transparency from the Minister of Transport regarding the enforcement of laws related to these accidents.
The senators called for prompt communication from the Prime Minister regarding any civil or criminal charges, stressing the importance of keeping the public informed. Senator Prinya noted that even after the recent incident, debris was filmed collapsing the following day, indicating persistent safety issues. The Transport Committee is expected to visit the site to assess the situation further.