BANGKOK, THAILAND – The reopening of Bangkok’s schools turned into a citywide traffic nightmare after a major road near Vachira Hospital was abruptly closed due to subsidence. The shutdown of Samsen Road caused severe congestion that spread across much of the Thai capital during the morning rush hour.
Early morning gridlock spreads across the city
Motorcycle taxi drivers in the Dusit district said traffic had already started backing up before 6 a.m., as thousands of parents and students returned to the roads for the first day of the new school term. Officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) confirmed that an unusual combination of heavy school traffic and the full road closure triggered extensive jams.
Authorities said Samsen Road would remain completely closed during the peak hours—between 5:30 and 9 a.m. and again from 2 to 5 p.m.—to allow safety inspections and repair work. The sinkage forced the city to establish emergency detours and restrict some lanes.
Governor calls emergency meeting
Governor Chadchart Sittipunt convened a crisis meeting at 10 a.m. to coordinate both immediate and longer-term responses. The governor personally supervised temporary control measures and requested technical assessments of the affected area.
To keep traffic moving, officials redirected vehicles through Nakhon Ratchasima Road, which is now the main diversion route during rush hours. The BMA also adjusted traffic signals and introduced a so-called “reverse lane” to ease the counterflow pressure.
New traffic rules at key intersections
Several intersections near the Vachira–Suan Ruedeer area received special adjustments. At the Sanghi intersection, vehicles arriving from the Sanghi Bridge were allowed to turn right to reach nearby schools. The Vachira–Suan Ruedeer junction opened three lanes toward Suan Ruedeer, and a new right-turn light with two turning lanes was activated at the Suan Ruedeer intersection.
Expanded bus and shuttle services
To assist commuters, the number of shuttle buses serving students and hospital staff around Vachira Hospital increased from four to seven. These buses now run continuously without the usual 15-minute intervals. Three new routes connect the Sirindhorn MRT station directly to schools in the vicinity, helping to reduce reliance on private vehicles.
For patients struggling to locate taxis, city inspectors were dispatched to provide on-site assistance near the hospital’s entrance.
Further measures under review
The city has already installed new road signs, lane markings, and traffic lights at the Suan Ruedeer intersection. Authorities are also evaluating the possible introduction of electric ferry services and additional passenger vans operating from Nawamin Pier to improve mobility while road repairs continue.
Bangkok’s chronic traffic woes have long tested local administrations, and the disruption on Samsen Road highlights how fragile the city’s daily commute remains. Officials warn that residual congestion and diversions could persist for some time as safety evaluations proceed.