CARETAKER Prime Minister-cum-Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul today (Jan. 15) ordered action against Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD), the contractor of two projects where cranes fell and killed 32 train passengers and injured dozens others in Nakhon Ratchasim (Korat) province yesterday and two pickup truck drivers at Rama II road stretch in Samut Sakhon province this morning including blacklisting the company, Amarin TV said.
Speaking after attending a meeting of all relevant parties, including legal and operational personnel as well as regulatory bodies, Anutin said the Transport Ministry will take action as these two accidents have deeply shocked the public and pose significant risk to life and property.
The Transport Ministry has been instructed to terminate the contracts with the contractor and pursue all applicable legal action, including blacklisting the company with this action following recommendations of the Council of State and the Attorney General, he said, adding the government will act in the best interest of the public, ensuring safety, and build confidence among other countries.
On whether other projects will be investigated, he said the focus should be on today’s issues as reviewing regulations entails amending ministerial regulations and laws but the House of Representatives has been dissolved and general election to take place on Feb. 8 so this is something for the next government to address.
An operation to recover the bodies of two victims who died this morning after a crane from an overhead construction fell on their two pickup trucks on Rama II road was to start this afternoon with additional cranes and cutting equipment being brought in to remove the heavy debris amid a projection that it will two weeks to clear the entire area, TV Channel 7 said.
This followed yesterday’s horrific accident whereby a crane from the construction of a high-speed rail bridge fell on a Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani train just as it was passing Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) killing 32 passengers and injuring dozens others.
The two victims in today’s accident have been identified as Mr. Sompong Srisuk, 50, from Phetchabun province with his relatives still to be notified and Mr. Sarawut Wechakan, 45, whose wife has been informed.
Sarawut’s boss, Mr. Narokrit Cheysuwan, said he was tracking the refrigerated pickup truck’s journey to delivery of milk via GPS when it was suddenly cut off plus upon hearing the news of the accident came to the scene.
He added that the deceased had been delivering milk for four years and he was not scheduled to work today but asked to do so because he had some work to do in Samut Sakhon area. The deceased was a very hardworking person and rarely missed work being the family’s main breadwinner, supporting his wife and young children.
Samut Sakhon Governor Amnat Charoensri said the appropriate course of action is currently being considered as lowering the entire crane would be faster, but lifting it in parts would take longer and could affect high-voltage power lines along the road. Therefore, for safety, officials are preparing to shut off the power to the entire system, which may affect residents in the area.
No construction was taking place when the accident occurred with no workers there as this project is being built at night. The road is closed from early evening and reopens to traffic at 5 a.m.
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Top and Front Page – Rama II road accident site. Photos – Amarin TV
Insert – Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Photo – Amarin TV
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