23-9-2024 (BANGKOK) A catastrophic multi-vehicle collision involving a 22-wheeled lorry and 16 other vehicles brought chaos to Bangkok’s southern ring road on Sunday evening, causing significant disruption and leaving several injured.
The incident occurred at approximately 5 pm on the Bang Phli-Suksawat section of Kanchanaphisek Road in Phra Pradaeng district, Samut Prakan province. Emergency services were promptly alerted to the scene in tambon Bang Yaphraek, where they encountered a devastating tableau of twisted metal and shattered glass.
Eyewitness Prasert Ketbung, 51, whose vehicle was among those damaged, recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the crash. “Traffic was slowing down on the road when suddenly the big truck ploughed into many vehicles, including cars, pickup trucks, and even a gas truck,” he told reporters at the scene.
The collision’s impact was so severe that authorities were forced to close the affected stretch of motorway for nearly an hour. During this time, rescue workers tended to the injured, transporting them to nearby hospitals, while police worked tirelessly to clear the wreckage and restore traffic flow.
The closure resulted in several kilometres of gridlock, with congestion stretching back towards the Pak Nam and Bang Na areas. Motorists found themselves trapped in a sea of stationary vehicles as emergency services battled to bring the situation under control.
It wasn’t until approximately 6:30 pm that officials were able to partially reopen the road, providing some relief to the thousands of frustrated commuters caught up in the aftermath of the crash.
