A sand transport vessel and a tugboat capsized in the Bangkok Noi Canal. Initially, no one is reported missing. Authorities are currently rushing to assist.
At 14:35 on 31 March 2026, the Special Operations and Water Rescue Unit received a report from the public about a vessel sinking near Arun Amarin Bridge on Bangkok Noi Canal. The unit deployed six officers on two boats, including the Phongnatee and a flat-bottom boat, to investigate.
Arriving at the scene at 14:50, they found a tugboat pulling three sand transport vessels, each carrying 600 cubic meters of sand, docked and waiting to unload.
The cause was water leaking into the hull of one vessel, causing the sand transport ship named Thai Bas 9 to capsize, which in turn pulled the tugboat (called Thak) to capsize as well, totaling two vessels. No injuries or missing persons were reported. The other two sand transport vessels waiting to unload remained tied to the pier and were unaffected. The pier and nearby riverside homes sustained no damage.
Waterway traffic remains normal but boats must proceed slowly and cautiously.
According to Marine Department law, the property owner must undertake vessel salvage and waste management.
Currently, the Marine Department has completed enforcement actions according to its laws.
The incident location is the sand pier within Bangkok Noi Canal, Bangkok Noi district.
This area falls under the jurisdiction of the Bangkok Noi Metropolitan Police Station.
The Marine Department has coordinated that the ship-owning company will carry out vessel salvage operations tonight.