Strong winds damage tower crane in Bangkok; dismantling underway

Work is underway today to dismantle and remove sections of a tower crane after its boom was damaged by strong winds and heavy rain overnight in Bangkok’s Pathumwan district.

The Pathumwan District Office said on its Facebook page this morning that it had instructed the contractor to expedite the removal of the damaged crane components and clear the site as quickly as possible.

Officials are monitoring the construction site closely and assessing potential risks to nearby residents and motorists while enforcing strict safety measures.

A preliminary investigation found that strong winds and heavy rain last night snapped the crane’s boom, leaving it suspended atop a building under construction near the Duang Khae Intersection.

The district office said workers are cutting the damaged boom into sections and removing the crane’s counterweights.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who inspected the site this morning, stressed that the dismantling operation must be carried out under strict safety protocols.

He also instructed the Pathumwan District Office to coordinate with the contractor, the Expressway Authority of Thailand and other relevant agencies to implement temporary road closures only where necessary during the removal operation.

The district office said the surrounding area is now considered safe because the damaged crane is contained within the construction site and is a considerable distance from nearby homes and residential rooftops.

Although residents continue to monitor the operation closely, they hope authorities will complete the dismantling as soon as possible.