Workers and Engineers from Unique Engineering and Construction PCL are coming to talk with the local people around the Southern end of Donmueang Airport as a part of the construction of Section 4-2 (Donmueang - Nava Nakhon)
https://www.facebook.com/HSR42Unique/posts/122156852228051258
Landslide in high-speed rail tunnel in Korat, 3 missing, search underway
A landslide occurred in a high-speed rail tunnel in the Khlong Khanan Chit area, Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, resulting in 3 missing persons whose fate is still unknown. Officials are mobilizing a search.
Today (August 25, 2023), there is an update on the landslide incident in the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail tunnel in the Khlong Khanan Chit area, Chanthuek subdistrict, Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima province. The landslide buried workers while they were drilling the tunnel. Officials are still searching for 3 missing persons. The incident occurred around 1:00 AM.
Mr. Chaiwat Chuenkosum, Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, revealed that the high-speed rail tunnel near Lam Ta Khong Reservoir, which is under construction, collapsed and buried 3 Myanmar workers. Rescue workers from Sawang Wicha Tham Foundation, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, along with more than 20 personnel, rushed to the scene, but Chinese officials did not allow them to assist in any way. They could only stand and watch from outside while a backhoe was digging and moving soil from the tunnel. The rescue team then returned.
After learning the details, he ordered the coordination with the State Railway of Thailand, which oversees the high-speed rail construction, to report the facts. He also assigned Mr. Khanatchanon Srijaroen, Pak Chong District Chief, along with Pol. Col. Weerapol Prakobpho, Superintendent of Pak Chong Police Station, to go to the construction site to investigate the facts. Initially, it was known that the tunnel construction area is under contract with the State Railway of Thailand, but it was subcontracted to a Chinese company for construction.
A village leader from Nong Krathum Village, Moo 3, Chanthuek Subdistrict, near the construction site, revealed that initially, villagers were hired as construction workers in the tunnel construction area. Later, the Chinese company moved the Thai workers to be security guards outside. Only Myanmar workers were left inside the tunnel.
During the incident in the middle of the night, villagers who talked to each other were informed. In the morning, the villagers who were security guards were going to work as usual, but the Chinese company sent them all back home, saying that work was suspended for the day.
The incident site is a Thai-Chinese high-speed rail tunnel excavation site in the Khlong Khanan Chit area, Chanthuek Subdistrict, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Contractor officials are mobilizing backhoes to dig and load soil onto trucks to reach and rescue the workers trapped inside the tunnel.
From inquiries with site officials, it was learned that at the time of the incident, workers were using backhoes and loaders to excavate the tunnel at the said location, which is about 600 meters deep from the tunnel entrance. The supervisor was also driving a sedan to oversee the work.
Suddenly, a landslide occurred, burying all 3 vehicles with a loud noise, the cause of which is unknown as there was no rain at the time. The fate of the 2 workers and the supervisor who were buried by the tunnel collapse is still unknown. Rescue workers and site officials are mobilizing to excavate the tunnel entrance to reach and provide assistance.
The Deputy Minister of Transport has ordered the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to inspect the construction of all tunnels nationwide to prevent similar collapses. He emphasized the importance of safety standards and urged an investigation into the cause of the collapse and the search for the three missing workers. The tunnel under construction was nearing completion, with 4.1 kilometers already excavated, and a 30-meter section collapsed.
Mr. Ekarat Sri-arayanpong, the head of the SRT governor's office, revealed that the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr. Surapong Piyachoti, has ordered SRT officials to expedite the excavation to rescue the three workers trapped inside the Khlong Phai railway tunnel in Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province.
The tunnel, which is under construction as part of the Thai-Chinese High-Speed Rail Project Phase 1 (Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima), Contract 3-2, Muak Lek-Lam Takhong Tunnel Construction, experienced a soil subsidence on the night of August 24th. The rescue operation must prioritize the safety of the personnel involved and closely monitor the situation to assess the cause of the incident.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the Khlong Phai railway tunnel was nearing completion, with approximately 4,100 meters already excavated. The tunnel walls were being constructed throughout the tunnel. The collapse occurred within the tunnel, affecting a 10-30 meter section where the tunnel walls were being built.
Furthermore, the Deputy Minister has instructed relevant SRT officials to assess and monitor the situation of all other ongoing railway construction projects, especially those in areas experiencing heavy rainfall or at risk of flooding, landslides, or flash floods. Adherence to standard safety procedures is crucial to prevent similar incidents.
**Good news! Signs of life detected from 3 workers trapped in collapsed railway tunnel, 8 meters from the excavator's digging point. Officials believe they are still alive and are expediting rescue efforts. Medical teams are on standby at the tunnel entrance.**
**Nakhon Ratchasima News Center -** In a positive development, signs of life have been detected from 3 workers trapped inside the collapsed high-speed Thai-Chinese railway tunnel. The location is approximately 8 meters away from where the excavator was digging. Officials believe the workers are still alive and are working tirelessly to rescue them. Medical teams are prepared and waiting at the tunnel entrance.
**Today (August 26, 2024)**, the ongoing rescue operation at the collapsed high-speed Thai-Chinese railway tunnel between Chanthuek and Khlong Khanan Chit stations in Lam Takhong, Baan Kaeng Heep, Moo 2, Chanthuek subdistrict, Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, continues. The tunnel, which is 1.5 kilometers long and under construction, collapsed late at night on August 25th, trapping 3 workers a supervisor and two laborers from China and Myanmar approximately 600 meters deep inside.
**The latest update** is that the construction company responsible for the tunnel has been searching for the missing workers continuously throughout the day and night. Mr. Khanatchanon Srijaroen, the district chief of Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima, who has been appointed as the director of the joint operation to rescue the 3 workers, has been overseeing the efforts of various teams inside the tunnel.
**Mr. Khanatchanon Srijaroen** stated that at 4:00 AM, he was still at the high-speed railway tunnel site. The provincial governor, Mr. Chaiwat Chuenkosum, has been closely monitoring the situation and the rescue efforts for those trapped inside the tunnel. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has provided support by sending radar scanning equipment to detect signs of life. The equipment arrived around midnight and was immediately put to use.
**The team from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation**, in collaboration with the company's personnel, entered the collapse site and installed the scanning equipment. They detected signs of life from all 3 missing workers.
**The team has discussed and decided on a rescue plan.** They will use a pipe with a diameter of approximately 1.2 meters and push it towards the location where the signs of life were detected. Workers will then remove the soil inside the pipe, allowing the rescue team to enter. If they find the trapped workers, they will be able to rescue them immediately.
**The rescue operation is a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies**, including the central disaster prevention and mitigation team, the military development unit, the Sawang Vichcha Tham rescue team, and the Pak Chong Nana Hospital team. The local administrative organization of Chanthuek is also providing support and is ready to assist at any time.
**"The detection of signs of life from all 3 individuals indicates that they are still alive,"** said Mr. Khanatchanon. **"Medical personnel from Pak Chong Nana Hospital are on standby to assess the situation. If the survivors are rescued, their health will be evaluated, and they will be immediately transported to Pak Chong Nana Hospital. We are striving to carry out the rescue operation as quickly and urgently as possible."**
Urgent Search for 3 Workers in High-Speed Rail Tunnel, Using Scanners and K9 Sniffer Dogs
Daily News, August 26, 2024, 11:24 AM
Officials are continuing the search for three workers trapped in a collapsed high-speed rail tunnel, using scanners and K9 sniffer dogs to expedite the operation. Recently, signals detected by the scanners disappeared, prompting a backhoe to clear the area again, as it is suspected that there was an error in depth measurement.
The incident occurred at a section of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima, specifically between Chanthuek and Khlong Khanan Chit stations in Lam Takhong, Ban Kaeng Hip, Moo 2, Chanthuek subdistrict, Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima province. Tunnel 3, which is 1.5 kilometers long, collapsed, trapping three workers and their vehicles: Mr. Hu Xiangmin, a Chinese national (supervisor), Mr. Tong Xinlin (backhoe operator), and an unnamed Myanmar worker (truck driver). Authorities have been searching for them since the incident occurred late on the night of August 25.
As of August 26, Kanatchon Sricharoen, the District Chief of Pak Chong and the Director of the Joint Rescue Operations Center, stated that the search plan had been adjusted. The previous night, a signal scanner from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation indicated a life signal, but it vanished once the pipe was pushed into the ground. Therefore, a backhoe has been brought in to clear the area again, as it is suspected that there may have been a depth miscalculation. After the area is cleared to the original tunnel level, the scanner will be used again. In addition, K9 sniffer dogs have been brought in to assist. The search team, consisting of both scanners and the K9 dogs, will work together in the morning. The operation is being closely monitored by police, including Pak Chong Police Chief Colonel Veerapol Rabiebpo and other agencies, providing continuous support day and night.
At 1:00 PM, Deputy Minister of Transport Surapong Piyachote and his team are scheduled to visit the Khlong Khanan Chit tunnel construction site to monitor the progress of the rescue efforts for the three trapped workers. They will also discuss with relevant parties to establish measures for improving the rescue process and an effective emergency response management plan for similar construction projects.
Unveiling the Depths of the Thai-Chinese Railway Tunnel Collapse: Soil Issues and Contractor Concerns
On August 26, 2024, reports revealed that the Khlong Phai Tunnel, part of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project near Lam Takhong, collapsed due to soil instability and heavy rainfall. The saturated soil, almost sandy in nature, contributed to the collapse during tunnel construction by Naowarat Phatthanakarn Public Company, which subcontracted Chinese workers for the task. The Thai Ministry of Transport ordered inspections of three additional tunnels.
The collapse occurred on August 24, trapping three workersa Chinese supervisor, a Chinese excavator operator, and a Burmese truck driverinside the tunnel. Rescue efforts are ongoing.
The tunnel collapse is related to a larger project extending from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, where delays and contract extensions have been reported. Currently, only 34.973% of the construction work is complete, significantly behind schedule.
The Acting Deputy Transport Minister, Surapong Piyachote, visited the site and identified heavy rainfall as a contributing factor. Rescue teams are using steel pipes to penetrate the debris and are continuing efforts to locate the missing workers. Precautionary measures, such as water diversion and tunnel covering, are being implemented to prevent further collapses.
Good news: HIA 'Ayutthaya' has reached UNESCO Source - Daily News
Tuesday, August 27, 2024 07:39
**Consultant to visit the site on September 19th. Bad news: Tunnel collapse delays opening**
Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, revealed that he will invite the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) to a meeting to follow up on the progress of the construction of the Ayutthaya high-speed rail station in the high-speed rail development project (Phase 1) Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima section. The aim is to gain clarity on how to proceed, and to avoid wasting time waiting indefinitely, as further delays will lead to more problems that will affect the overall project.
Mr. Suriya added that he has received a preliminary report that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will send officials to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province on September 19, 2024, to assess the preliminary impact on the cultural heritage (Heritage Impact Assessment: HIA) of the Ayutthaya Historical Park World Heritage Site in relation to the Ayutthaya high-speed rail station. He believes that the construction of the Ayutthaya station should proceed, but efforts must be made to explain the situation to UNESCO, as the SRT has followed all procedures and legal requirements.
Mr. Picheth Kuna Thammarak, Director-General of the DRT, said that the SRT has submitted the updated and complete HIA report to the Secretary-General of the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), who is also the Secretary-General of the National Committee for the World Heritage Convention. The report has been forwarded to UNESCO, which has assigned the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), as UNESCO's advisory body, to conduct a preliminary impact assessment in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province on September 19, 2024. The DRT will also participate in the site visit. The Ayutthaya station is part of Contract 4-5, Ban Pho-Phra Kaeo section, with a distance of 13.3 km. A contractor has been selected, but the construction contract has not yet been signed.
**"Daily News Transportation Innovation News Team"** reported that the overall construction progress of the high-speed rail project Phase 1, Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima, with a distance of 253 km and a budget of 179 billion baht, consisting of 14 contracts that started construction in 2017, which is the first high-speed rail project in Thailand, is 34.97% complete, 36.39% behind schedule. Only 2 contracts have been completed, and 10 contracts are under construction. According to the latest revised plan, the service will be operational in 2027. However, a preliminary assessment after the Khlong Phai tunnel collapse, which is part of Contract 3-2, Muak Lek and Lam Takhong tunnels, with a distance of 12.2 km and a budget of 4.279 billion baht, with Nawarat Patanakarn Public Company Limited as the contractor, revealed that the opening of the service may have to be postponed beyond 2027. This is due to the need to review and verify safety measures in construction and to build confidence to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
The other 2 contracts that are waiting to be signed indefinitely are Contract 4-1, Bang Sue-Don Mueang section, 15.21 km, which is waiting for the amendment of the joint investment contract for the high-speed rail project connecting three airports (Don Mueang-Suvarnabhumi-U-Tapao) due to overlapping structures. Contract 4-5, Ban Pho-Phra Kaeo section, has delayed signing the contract with Boonchai Panich (1979) Co., Ltd., the contractor, while maintaining the original price of 10.325 billion baht, due to the need to wait for clarity on the HIA report. In addition, Contract 3-5, Khok Kruat-Nakhon Ratchasima section, needs to change the construction format from ground level to elevated track for the Khok Kruat-Phu Khao Lat section, 7.85 km. The SRT Board of Directors has instructed the SRT to adjust the average index price to the current rate and resubmit it to the Board meeting in September 2024. The design change will increase the budget by 2.052 billion baht from the original 7.750 billion baht, and the construction period will be extended by 36 months from the original contract end date of March 2025.
Source: Daily News Newspaper, August 28, 2024 issue (Afternoon Edition)
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