Massive Sinkhole Shocks Bangkok: A Look at the Collapse and Response

In late September 2025, a dramatic and alarming event shook part of Bangkok’s infrastructure with a massive landslide in Bangkok. A massive landslide occurred. This led to the formation of a sinkhole reportedly around 50 meters deep.

The chasm appeared along a busy road in the Dusit district, near the Vajira Hospital and a police station. It caused damage to utilities. Evacuations were necessary due to the massive landslide. The incident attracted widespread media attention and public concern.

It also led to scrutiny of urban construction practices and safety oversight. This occurred in a city already dealing with challenges of subsidence, flooding, and heavy infrastructure demands. A massive landslide in this area has underscored such urban vulnerabilities.

What Happened & Key Details

Here is what has been reported so far about the event, which involved a massive landslide in Bangkok:

Location & Timing

• The collapse occurred on Samsen Road in the Dusit district of central Bangkok.
• It took place on September 24, 2025, in the early morning hours, around 7:00 a.m. local time.

Dimensions & Impact

• The sinkhole was reported to be about 30 m × 30 m in horizontal extent. This is roughly 900 m². It is up to 50 meters deep.
• The collapse damaged portions of the road. The landslide pulled down electricity poles. It also ruptured water pipes. These actions disrupted power, water, and traffic in the surrounding area due to the landslide in Bangkok.
• Several vehicles, including police cars, were affected — at least three vehicles were reported to be damaged.
• No fatalities or injuries have been confirmed in the reports so far.

Cause & Contributing Factors

• The sinkhole seems connected to the construction of an underground train. This includes the subway, MRT, and Purple Line tunnel and station beneath the road.
• One contributory factor was a leaking pipe / burst water line. It caused erosion beneath the road surface. This erosion undermined the ground and worsened the collapse.
• Heavy rain from Bangkok’s monsoon season was cited as a potential accelerating factor for soil weakening. It caused ground instability. These conditions contributed to the landslide in Bangkok.

Response & Mitigation Steps

• Authorities evacuated nearby buildings as a precaution to ensure safety after the massive landslide. This included the hospital, police station, and residential units.
• Vajira Hospital halted outpatient services for at least two days, though its structural integrity was assessed to be intact.
• Roads in the affected area were closed, and utilities like electricity and water were cut to reduce risk.
• As a rescue/stabilization plan, officials initially attempted to remove debris. They later decided to pour a large volume of concrete into the crater. This involved hundreds of cubic meters. This was done to stabilize and seal it after the landslide in Bangkok.
• The operation faced complications. A portion of the poured concrete leaked into the underground tunnel below. This forced a pause in the process.
• Over 50,000 sandbags and rocks were also deployed to plug leaks and divert water to avoid further erosion.
• The area around Samsen Road was designated as a disaster zone to facilitate emergency measures and assistance.

Challenges & Risks Ahead

• Heavy rainfall remains a continuous threat, which could deepen or widen the collapse or trigger secondary failures.
• The leaking concrete and debris in the underground tunnels create obstacles, particularly in the aftermath of the massive landslide. These issues make it difficult to resume construction safely. This will remain until the emergency stabilization is fully settled.
• The nearby Samsen Police Station was at risk due to shifting foundation soil. Parts of the building had to be evacuated.
• Reconstruction and full repair are expected to be complex and time-consuming. They might take months or even longer, given the underground infrastructure issues, especially following the landslide in Bangkok.

The massive sinkhole in Bangkok in September 2025 is a stark reminder of the risks of rapid urban development. This is particularly true for areas with subsurface construction. Though no lives were lost, the damage to infrastructure is alarming. There is also a disruption to essential services and a threat to surrounding buildings. These issues have raised serious concerns about future landslides in Bangkok.

The incident highlights several needs. We need rigorous engineering standards. Better monitoring of underground works is crucial. Proper drainage and leak management must be ensured. Also, we require heightened vigilance, especially in cities with complex geology and heavy monsoon rainfall.

Moving forward, Bangkok’s disaster authorities, engineers, and city planners will need to restore stability. They must investigate accountability. Furthermore, they should implement stronger safeguards to avoid a repeat of such a dangerous collapse.