THE Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT) said the awning at three to four shophouses near Wat Traimit Witthayaram Worawihan temple on Rama IV road had collapsed yesterday (June 20) because the concrete had cracked and the steel deteriorated leaving the structure unable to withstand the pressure, PPTVHD36 said this evening (June 21).
Mr. Itthipol Pasityothin, chairman of EIT’s Legal and Ethics Committee, said after inspecting the affected shophouses, particularly climbing up to check the awning at unit 3, that they were made of brick and mortar, as they are over 50 years old. The beam system was made of wood, and the collapsed awning reinforced concrete.
Regarding whether the entire building needs to be demolished, he said that, based on the inspection, only the front awning collapsed. The interior walls and floors are still usable, but the units should be closed for now. He suggested that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) should demolish the original concrete awning and replace it with a steel-frame structre with a metal-sheet roof.
On residents’ concern that previously only temporary repairs were made to the awning of the affected units and a complete renovation would require coordination with other tenants, Ms. Chanyaphat Chamnikla, assistant director of Samphanthawong district, said that because Wat Traimit is the landlord proper procedures must be followed. While awaiting repairs, the district office will issue a notice outlining the procedures.
This has been done continuously and in the past when any structures were deemed risky notices were sent to the homeowners requesting repairs.
BMA had previously instructed all districts to inspect buildings with awnings. Furthermore, the BMA Permanent Secretary, in collaboration with EIT, has worked out a plan to conduct a comprehensive inspection of buildings to identify high-risk groups and implement corrective measures.
Meanwhile, a representative of National Office of Buddhism, which oversees the area, said the land, including the shophouses where the incident occurred and neighbouring buildings, totalling 13 units, belongs to Wat Traimit with residents being tenants. Further discussions will be held regarding building repairs and compensation for the one man who died.
A news team also surveyed neighbouring buildings and interviewed Mr. Somboon and Ms. Chantima, owners of a religious goods shop, who expressed concern because their building is nearly 100 years old and water seeps when it rains. Pieces of concrete and metal have fallen as the concrete is quite old and they have repaired the building two or three times already.
Mr. Charoenwong, the caretaker of the shrine who was present at the scene, revealed that the shrine was only two buildings away. Prior to the incident, there were no warning signs or sounds to alert anyone. He personally believes the cause may have stemmed from the awning accumulating a lot of water when it rained torrentially three days prior to the collapse.
CAPTION:
The three to four shophouses where the concrete awning collapsed and Mr. Itthipol Pasityothin inspecting them. Photos – PPTVHD36
Also read:
HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha has passed away
Update: Skytrain vibrations link to building collapse being probed
Two-storey building on Charoen Krung road collapses
Government denies monitoring or pressuring news outlets
TV news commentary terminated after taking Newin’s son to task over AI project
People’s unjustly defamed with forex scam to distract public attention on AI project: Pijarn
Pawut will be undefended if found involved in forex scams: Pukkamon
Anutin does not dare do anything to ‘boss’s son’ over AI project?
PM pressed to set up panel to investigate ‘Do Help the Blue’ scandal
Parolee-turned-free Thaksin leaving for Dubai
Veteran US journalist laments the Lost Horizons of Asia and America
