A concrete slab near Wat Traimit has collapsed, likely caused by the building's age, which exceeds 100 years. The exact cause awaits detailed expert investigation.
At 16:52 on 20 June 2026, Police Sub-Lieutenant Thanadech Marayathorn, Deputy Investigation Officer at Phlap Phla Chai 2 Police Station, received a report of a balcony collapse causing severe injuries in front of a company near Wat Traimit Witthayaram Worawihan on Rama IV Road, Talat Noi Subdistrict, Samphanthawong District, Bangkok. He informed his superiors before inspecting the scene with Police Colonel Witawat Khaengkhoom, Chief of Phlap Phla Chai 2 Police Station, Poh Teck Tung Foundation rescue units, and Suan Mali Fire and Rescue personnel.
The incident occurred at a 5-unit shophouse complex, numbered 56-64, two stories high. The affected unit operated an electrical equipment business. On the sidewalk in front, a large concrete slab approximately 15 meters long fell onto Mr. Prawit Tulapan, 67, the company owner's husband, severely injuring him. Rescue workers struggled to lift the slab, administered initial CPR, then rushed him to Samitivej Chinatown Hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
At the scene, three vehicles parked along the sidewalk were damaged: a gray-black Nissan Sunny sedan (license plate 5กล 1757 Bangkok), a white Nissan Serena van (6ขถ 2590 Bangkok), and the victim's heavily damaged gray Honda Accord sedan (9กร 816 Bangkok) parked in front of the company. The concrete canopy collapsed from the second floor down two levels. A leaning concrete utility pole required the Electricity Authority to cut power and provide temporary electricity for residents.
According to Mr. Paitoon Kanjanasorn, 48, an employee at the company, before the collapse, Mr. Prawit arrived with his daughter to pick up his wife, as he did every Saturday since the company was closed on Sundays. When Mr. Prawit was parking in front, Mr. Paitoon signaled him to stop. While the daughter entered the company, Mr. Prawit exited the car and stepped onto the sidewalk. Mr. Paitoon heard cracking sounds, initially thinking it was rain, but then the concrete balcony collapsed onto Mr. Prawit. He rushed out but could not lift the slab, so he called the police.
The building is over 100 years old, with a new roof but original structure. The fallen concrete canopy is believed to have deteriorated due to age. Authorities have declared the area dangerous because parts of the second-floor balcony have collapsed after impacts from the upper canopy, with remaining portions unstable and unpredictable in timing of further collapse.
At 18:57, Police Sub-Lieutenant Phuwanai Sila, Deputy Traffic Inspector at Phlap Phla Chai 2 Police Station, said he was managing traffic in the area during heavy congestion when he received reports of the shophouse collapse around 16:40. Upon arrival, he confirmed a five-unit, two-story shophouse had bricks beneath the canopy fall, injuring one person.
The preliminary cause is suspected to be the building's age, over 100 years, but the exact cause remains unconfirmed pending detailed inspection by relevant officials.
The reopening time for traffic on the affected road is undetermined as the Electricity Authority is still cutting power and clearing debris to ensure public and driver safety due to ongoing risks of further falling materials.
Once clearing is complete, authorities will consider reopening traffic. However, the five shophouse units will remain cordoned off until structural stability inspections are completed.
Regarding the fallen bricks and construction debris on the sidewalk, officials said a civil engineering unit must assess safety and plan demolition before clearing all debris.
Authorities will expedite inspection and debris removal, while Phlap Phla Chai 2 Police will maintain personnel on-site and manage traffic until the situation returns to normal.
