BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s transport minister moved to calm motorists after confusion over a full closure of the busy Rama II Road, confirming that only part of the highway would be shut for safety repairs.
Minister clarifies scope of Rama II shutdown
During an on-site visit, Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn stressed that reports of a total closure had been inaccurate.
“This is not a complete closure of the entire Rama II Road.”
said Phiphat, transport minister. Only the six main lanes over a roughly 3‑kilometre stretch between kilometre markers 29+100 and 32+100 were to be closed.
The repair work followed a fatal crane accident on 15 January in which two people died.
“The measure is for safety and is not intended to place an additional burden on traffic,”
said Phiphat, transport minister. Entry and exit ramps were to remain open to keep vehicles moving.
Traffic plan shifts cars to side lanes
To avert gridlock, the Highway Department put in place a detailed traffic management scheme. Drivers were to be diverted onto the four existing side lanes along the affected section. Access roads had been widened and on- and off-ramps adjusted to reduce bottlenecks, with police and traffic volunteers deployed around the clock.
For peak periods, officials were also preparing a reversible lane on the less congested side of the road to absorb overflow. All measures aimed to keep traffic flowing while work progressed on the damaged structure.
Repairs to run for up to 60 days
The closure, which began on 24 January, was scheduled to last no more than 60 days, with completion targeted for 27 March 2026. During this period, damaged bridge components were to be removed and concrete works carried out to connect the cantilever bridge over the Tha-Chin River.
Construction firm Italian-Thai Development (ITD) was made responsible for covering all repair costs. Independent experts were to monitor safety standards at the site throughout the works.
Government weighs sanctions against contractor
Phiphat signalled that legal consequences for the contractor were under active review.
“The government will act in accordance with the law,”
said Phiphat, transport minister. Authorities were examining possible penalties against the company.
These could include placing ITD on a blacklist if negligence was proven, the minister indicated, adding that protecting the public remained the top priority. Agencies apologised for the disruption and urged all road users to plan their journeys in advance.
Authorities urge use of alternative routes
Motorists were strongly advised to take alternative routes whenever possible, particularly during rush hours when significant delays were expected. Up-to-date information on traffic conditions and diversions was available via the Highway Department’s 24‑hour hotline on the toll‑free number 1586.
Officials acknowledged that the coming weeks would test the patience of Bangkok commuters. They expressed hope that careful traffic management would limit the impact of the partial closure on daily travel.
Safety promises after deadly accident
The closure and repair programme came amid public concern after the crane collapse on one of the capital’s key arteries. Following deadly incidents, authorities again pledged to prioritise safety on major construction sites above busy roads.
The measures on Rama II Road were presented as a necessary response to restore confidence while ensuring the highway’s structural integrity. Whether the combination of diversions, enforcement and oversight would be seen as reassurance or mere appeasement remained an open question among drivers.