Ministry of Transport Reveals Causes of Sikyiu Train Crane Collapse and Rama 2 Beam Failure; Cites Negligence of Safety Measures

Two consecutive days of Launching Gantry crane collapses:

• January 14, 2026: During the construction of the Thai-Chinese High-Speed Rail project, a crane collapsed onto a train in Sikyiu District, Nakhon Ratchasima, resulting in 32 fatalities and 60 injuries.
• January 15, 2026: A concrete beam and construction crane for the M82 Motorway project collapsed on Rama 2 Road, resulting in 2 fatalities and 2–5 injuries.
• Sikyiu Incident: The collapse was caused by the loss of stability in the crane’s Front Support, which tilted and fell. This may have resulted from the failure of High-Tensile Bolts (PT-Bars) used for the Tie-down system while the crane was in the "Launching" phase. This failure caused the Front Support to lean and crash into the train passing below.
• Rama 2 Incident: The collapse originated from the failure of the Front Main Support of the lifting gantry, which underwent sudden settlement. Engineering hypotheses suggest the cause is likely related to the Support and Tie-down systems, as well as the load-bearing capacity of the concrete structure at the support points 

Ministry of Transport Enforcement Measures

The Ministry of Transport will escalate inspection intensity and strictly enforce the law through the following three pillars:

1. Legal Action Against Offenders A panel of specialized experts will conduct an in-depth root cause analysis based on "Forensic Engineering" principles.

2. Reform of Contract Standards and Supervision The ministry will overhaul construction project contracts and oversight protocols.

3. Implementation of the "Contractor Scorecard" and Blacklisting

• Point Deduction: A record of defaults, safety deficiencies, and accidents will be strictly maintained.
• Penalties: If a contractor's score falls below the designated threshold, it will disqualify them from future bidding. Extreme cases will lead to Blacklisting, banning the firm from Ministry of Transport or any government projects indefinitely.