All canal-side roads are ready to collapse, officials say

ABOVE: A canal-side road in Pathum Thani province split open on July 9. Photos: MCOT

Highway officials warned yesterday that all canal-side roads are in danger of collapsing as waterways across the country are drying up.

Motorists were urged to drive slowly with caution alongside canals, while truck drivers were advised to find alternative routes, according to highway authorities.

A number of spectacular incidents have seen roads split and torn apart as the soil dessicates, settles and shifts due to the drought crisis, notably in Saraburi province and a sinkhole earlier this month on Bangkok’s Phetkasem Road. Then there was the river that ate a woman’s house.

Road inspectors will survey risky areas, officials said, while residents near canals were asked to report any issues to officials via hotline number 1146.



Reader Interactions

Leave A Reply


BECOME A COCO+ MEMBER

Support local news and join a community of like-minded
“Coconauts” across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

Join Now
Coconuts TV
Our latest and greatest original videos
Subscribe on