A huge sinkhole has appeared in the heart of Bangkok, damaging facilities near a police station and hospital and sparking widespread concern. Officials said the first collapse occurred on the morning of September 24 in front of Vajira Hospital, where a 30-metre-wide and 30-metre-long crater more than 50 metres deep suddenly opened. Less than 24 hours later, a second subsidence in front of a nearby police station exposed the building’s foundation. Shocking images captured by residents and released by authorities quickly went viral online.
Thai PBS and Daily News reported that ruptured water and drainage pipes continued to flood the soil beneath the road, worsening the collapse even though there was no rain at the time. At 2:47 a.m. on September 25 the sinkhole expanded again, this time directly threatening the police station. Experts warned that continued sinking could trigger secondary disasters.
To prevent further erosion, emergency crews rushed more than 50,000 sandbags to fill underground gaps and reinforce structures. Officials installed 24-hour monitoring equipment to track movement and sinking at the police station, which they say is their biggest safety concern.
While Vajira Hospital’s main building remains intact, its operations have been severely disrupted. Water supply pipes and internet cables were destroyed, leaving the hospital without running water or communications. Thailand’s state telecom company and private operators worked overnight to lay new fibre-optic cables, while the water authority used steel sheet piling to seal underground breaches and restore service as soon as possible.
Prime Minister Anutin visited the scene late on September 24, promising full government support for repairs and a thorough investigation into the cause and responsibility for the collapse. He acknowledged worries that upcoming rainfall could trigger even larger sinkholes or landslides, but said emergency teams have already deployed preventive measures.
Videos of the massive crater and the exposed police station foundation have been widely shared on social media, with many commenters calling it “like a movie scene.” Authorities urged nearby residents to stay alert and keep away from the area for their own safety. Repair and monitoring work is continuing, with officials pledging to prioritise hospital operations and public safety.
