11-12-2024 (BANGKOK) A construction blunder at a Thai bus stop has sparked widespread amusement across social media after workers inadvertently buried passenger seating up to seat level in freshly poured concrete.
The peculiar sight in Samut Prakan province emerged following renovation works intended to combat flooding issues at the local bus stop. Photos shared on social media last Wednesday showed the bus shelter’s seating apparently sinking into newly laid concrete, leaving would-be passengers scratching their heads about how they might utilise the virtually flush-mounted seats.
The gaffe occurred when contractors poured concrete to elevate the bus stop’s ground level without first removing or protecting the existing seating structure. The oversight resulted in the seats becoming essentially level with the new surface, rendering them practically unusable.
Local resident Somchai Thongprasert told our correspondent, “At first, we thought it must be some sort of modern design. Then we realised it was simply a mistake.”
The incident gained significant traction on social media platform Facebook after being highlighted by community page Sanam Khao Samut Prakan. One creative commenter even digitally edited the image to show traditional Thai-style sitting positions, suggesting in jest that perhaps the awkward arrangement was intentional.
Following the social media furore, the contractor acknowledged the error, attributing it to internal miscommunication among work crews. The seating has since been removed, with the contractor pledging to rectify the situation and reinstall appropriate seating arrangements.
A spokesperson for the local authority confirmed that the original renovation project was part of broader flood mitigation efforts in the area. “While the intention to address flooding was sound, the execution clearly needed better coordination,” the spokesperson said.
