MRTA: No subsidence from Purple Line South tunnel leak, PM assures structural safety

Matichon•Politics•7d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand's Prime Minister inspects MRT tunnel leak, confirming no structural damage and ordering enhanced safety measures ahead of the rainy season.

•The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) confirmed that a water leak into the MRT Purple Line South tunnel on July 8, 2026, did not cause any structural subsidence.
•Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the site and assured the public that the situation is under control and poses no threat to the tunnel or nearby buildings.
•The Prime Minister has instructed MRTA to increase monitoring of nearby structures and geological conditions, especially with the onset of the rainy season and ongoing construction projects.
•The leak is believed to originate from the joint of the sump pit within the tunnel, a situation deemed manageable and distinct from previous structural failures.

Overview

•On July 8, 2026, a water leak occurred inside a sump pit in the MRT Purple Line South tunnel construction area at the Wongwian Yai intersection.
•The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) conducted an inspection of the tunnel and nearby buildings following the water leakage.
•MRTA stated that preliminary findings suggest the water is leaking from the sump pit joint, which does not affect the tunnel's strength.
•Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, along with other ministers, visited the site at 11:00 PM on July 8, 2026, to monitor the situation.
•Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul assured that the situation was under control and that engineering checks indicated no structural impact to the tunnel or adjacent buildings.
•Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered MRTA to enhance safety monitoring of nearby buildings and to conduct thorough geological surveys alongside design checks, due to the rainy season.
•The construction contractor is actively working on ground improvement to stop the water seepage and is closely controlling the leakage volume.
•MRTA is awaiting the Election Commission's certification of the Bangkok Governor-elect to hold discussions on supporting their work.

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Key Quotes

Anutin Charnvirakul

"The situation is under control. Engineering data checks can resolve the situation. There is water seepage from the lowest point into the sump pit, which is according to design. Unlike the case in front of Vajira Hospital, where the station joint collapsed the structure, this point has no structural impact."

ควบคุมสถานการณ์ได้ ซึ่งการตรวจสอบข้อมูลทางวิศวกรรม ก็สามารถแก้ไขสถานการณ์ได้ มีรอยซึมรอยรั่วของน้ำเข้ามาจากจุดที่ต่ำสุด น้ำเข้ามายังจุดบ่อพักน้ำ ซึ่งเป็นไปตามการออกแบบ ไม่เหมือนกับกรณีหน้าวชิรพยาบาล ซึ่งตรงนั้นเป็นรอยต่อระหว่างสถานี ที่พังลงมาทั้งโครงสร้าง แต่จุดนี้ไม่มีผลกระทบกับโครงสร้าง

Anutin Charnvirakul

"I have ordered surveys and not to just look at designs. We must also consider geology. Inspect everything possible, as it is the rainy season and there is a lot of construction. Drainage systems need to be prepared."

สั่งให้มีการสำรวจ และอย่าดูแต่แบบอย่างเดียว ตอนนี้ต้องดูทางธรณีวิทยาด้วย ตรวจอะไรได้ก็ตรวจให้มากที่สุด เท่าที่จะทำได้ เพราะเป็นฤดูฝนด้วย และตอนนี้มีการก่อสร้างเยอะแยะไปหมด เรื่องระบบระบายน้ำก็ต้องการเตรียมการไว้

Key Entities

Organization

MRTA(รฟม.)ℹ️

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand, which investigated a water leak in the MRT Purple Line South tunnel.

Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM)(กรมป้องกันและบรรเทาสาธารณภัย (ปภ.))ℹ️

The disaster response agency that provided support during the inspection of the MRT tunnel leak.

Election Commission (EC)(คณะกรรมการการเลือกตั้ง (กกต.))ℹ️

The body responsible for certifying election results, whose announcement is awaited before the Bangkok Governor can officially assume duties.

Place

MRT Purple Line South Tunnel(อุโมงค์ MRT ม่วงใต้)

The tunnel construction site where a water leak occurred, part of the Tao Poon - Rat Burana project.

Wongwian Yai Intersection(แยกวงเวียนใหญ่)

The location where the water leakage into the MRT Purple Line South tunnel construction occurred.

Underground MRT Tunnel Sump Pit(บ่อรับน้ำใต้อุโมงค์รถไฟฟ้าใต้ดิน (Sump Pit))

The location within the MRT Purple Line South tunnel where water seepage was detected.

In front of Vajira Hospital(หน้าวชิรพยาบาล)

A previous MRT construction incident location used as a point of comparison regarding structural integrity, contrasting with the current tunnel leak.

Person

Prime Minister(นายกฯ)ℹ️

The Prime Minister of Thailand who visited the MRT tunnel leak site and issued directives for enhanced safety.

Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️

The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior who inspected the MRT tunnel leak and provided public statements.

Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn(พิพัฒน์ รัชกิจประการ)ℹ️

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport who accompanied the Prime Minister to the MRT tunnel leak site.

Siripong Angkasakulkiat(สิริพงศ์ อังคสกุลเกียรติ)

A Deputy Minister of Transport who was present at the MRT tunnel leak site inspection.

Pattarapong Pattaraprasit(ภัทรพงศ์ ภัทรประสิทธิ์)

A Deputy Minister of Transport who was present at the MRT tunnel leak site inspection.

Sappet Bunyamanee(สรรเพชญ บุญญามณี)

A Deputy Minister of Transport who was present at the MRT tunnel leak site inspection.

Worasit Liangprasit(วรศิษฎ์ เลียงประสิทธิ์)

A Deputy Minister of Interior who was present at the MRT tunnel leak site inspection.

Context

Rainy Season(ฤดูฝน)

The current weather condition that prompted increased vigilance and inspections for construction sites, including the MRT project.