Thai PM Frustrated by Repeated Crane Failures, Calls Emergency Meeting

Thai PM Frustrated by Repeated Crane Failures, Calls Emergency Meeting

BANGKOK, 15 January 2026 (THE STANDARD) — Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed frustration over a repeated construction crane collapse on Rama II Road that killed two people, signalling the possibility of legal changes and an urgent inter-agency meeting after authorities appeared to shift responsibility.

Speaking to reporters today, Anutin — who also serves as interior minister — said he had been informed of the crane collapse that occurred earlier in the day but did not yet have full details. He paused before speaking and shook his head when asked to comment on the incident.

When questioned about whether construction contracts would be reviewed following the deaths of two people in the accident, Anutin said he had instructed Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn to convene a meeting. He again shook his head, adding that officials would be summoned to provide a detailed report.

Asked whether repeated accidents along Rama II Road required a broader contract review, Anutin said he had followed media reports showing agencies passing responsibility among themselves, with some claiming they lacked the authority to act.

“In some cases, the law may need to be amended,” he said, adding that instead of issuing ad hoc instructions to individual agencies, a formal meeting would be required to determine concrete measures.

When asked whether the meeting would be held at Government House, the Prime Minister declined to respond and immediately returned to the complex.

The collapse marked the latest in a series of accidents linked to long-running construction works along Rama II Road, a key route connecting Bangkok to Thailand’s southern provinces. Authorities have launched an investigation.