The Ministry of Transport clarified the investigation results of two major accidents involving cranes falling on a train and on the M82 motorway. It confirmed the cause was not machinery failure but workers violating procedures and neglecting standards. Furthermore, there was no engineering supervision, expired licenses were used, and equipment was modified without authorization. The ministry has ordered strict controls on all construction projects. The Highway Department confirmed it will not cancel construction contracts but will replace the project teams, while the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) awaits the Attorney General's final decision before proceeding with penalties.
26 May 2026 — Reporters from the Ministry of Transport. Mr. Jiraphong Thepphitak, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Chair of the fact-finding committee, the Director-General of the Department of Highways, and the Governor of the State Railway of Thailand jointly announced the findings of the fact-finding investigation into the accidents in the Thai-Chinese high-speed train construction project (Sikhiu section) and the Motorway No. 82 (Rama 2 Road) project at the Ratchadamnoen Room, 2nd Floor, Ratcharot Club Building, Ministry of Transport.
. Mr. Jiraphong Thepphitak, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Chair of the fact-finding committee, held a press conference on the investigation results concerning the crane accident on the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail contract 3-4 sections Lam Takhong–Sikhiu and Kutjik–Khok Kruat, which fell on a Sikhiu train, and the concrete beam and crane collapse on Motorway No. 82 (M82) Section 7 on Rama 2 Road, where Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited was the contractor. He stated that the causes of both accidents were not due to mechanical breakdowns but failures in safety management, work control, and noncompliance with prescribed procedures.
. Mr. Jiraphong said the project M82 Motorway accident was caused by incorrectly installed crane support equipment. When temperatures changed, metal expansion caused accumulated pressure that unbalanced the structure and led to collapse. The contractor also modified equipment on-site without approval, used expired machinery inspection documents (PTJ1 license), and supervisors failed to stop work despite safety risks.
He proposed corrective measures including immediate verification of PTJ1 licenses for all cranes and heavy machinery in every project, prohibiting unauthorized crane modifications, establishing expert standards for crane use, and installing real-time sensor alert systems on all elevated bridge construction projects.
As for the high-speed rail project, the investigation found the fault was not of a single worker but systemic failure involving all contractor parties. Italian-Thai Development bypassed prescribed steps in the manual, started work without permits, failed to notify supervising engineers, and did not suspend train operations while working above tracks, all contrary to contract requirements. The only related document was a Window Time request dated 20–30 January 2026, six days after the accident.
Additionally, the contractor did not replace PT Bar steel reinforcements as required. The Construction Supervision Consultant (CSC) had circulated a notice since 2023 to replace PT Bars every 60 cycles, but contract 3-4’s contractor claimed unawareness despite a prior bridge component fall in the Rama 2 Expressway project in 2023. CSC warned all contractors and did not inspect crane safety at legally mandated intervals. Inspections, required every three months by law, were delayed, and certification covered only one of four lifting equipment sets needing inspection.
Regarding Mr. Piyapong Jiwatnakulpaisan, Director-General of the Department of Highways (DOH), he stated that action will be taken on three fronts: criminal, disciplinary, and professional ethics violations by engineers, pending completion of forensic engineering analysis by June 2026. The DOH has not canceled the contract for M82 Section 7 because termination could halt the project for a long time, requiring new contractors and risking safety issues with incomplete elevated work, as well as potential legal disputes that would affect the public and agencies. Preliminary damage was estimated at about 11 million baht.
Although contracts remain active, the DOH lacks confidence in the current team and has suspended their work. They are requiring the contractor to hire internationally certified crane experts to replace the team to complete construction on schedule. Currently, construction is 88% complete, with installation of two spans remaining, expected to take no more than two weeks. Afterward, finishing details will be completed, aiming to open the Ekachai–Ban Phaeo section by August 2026.
The decision not to cancel contracts was made by a committee appointed by the DOH, including representatives from the Attorney General's Office, the Comptroller General's Department, and legal affairs. They analyzed facts, laws, and public interest. Under Article 103 of the Public Procurement Act, contract termination requires consideration of benefits to the state and public. Blacklisting contractors or using the contractor registry requires criteria from the Comptroller General's Department and cannot be done immediately.
Therefore, the DOH chose strict control measures, including replacing the entire work team and requiring the contractor to engage specialists. A Construction Safety Audit committee will oversee every step starting fiscal year 2026. The DOH has revised contracts for all 99 major projects to impose strict risk management and safety conditions, including daily fines if contractors fail to comply with safety measures, even if no accident occurs, to prevent future incidents.
Mr. Anan Phonnimdaeng, Deputy Governor and Acting Governor of SRT, said contracts with contractors have not been canceled. Previously, SRT consulted the Attorney General's Office, but no response has been received yet. Contractors have resumed work after a 90-day suspension, which is the maximum allowed under contract terms; longer suspension would breach the contract. Currently, project progress is about 99%, with 16-17 elevated structure spans remaining, scheduled for completion in October 2026. Estimated damages to SRT are about 120 million baht, with insurance coverage of 583 million baht.
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