Thailand is reeling from back-to-back construction disasters after two crane collapses killed a total of 34 people in just 48 hours. The latest accident occurred on Thursday in Samut Sakhon province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, while a separate crane collapse on Wednesday in the northeast province of Nakhon Ratchasima claimed 32 lives.

Latest Incident in Samut Sakhon

Thursday’s accident involved a crane being used to construct an elevated highway, which toppled onto the roadway below. Police Colonel Sitthiporn Kasi, superintendent of the local district police station, confirmed the deaths of two individuals and reported that five others were injured in the incident.

Local media footage from the site, in front of the Paris Inn Garden Hotel, showed clouds of dust and debris scattered across the road, with crushed vehicles trapped beneath the fallen crane.

Connection to Italian-Thai Development Company

Thailand’s Transport Minister, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, confirmed that the same construction company, Italian-Thai Development, was involved in both deadly accidents. The company is a key contractor for a China-backed high-speed rail project, which has been under development for nearly a decade.

The Nakhon Ratchasima crane collapse on Wednesday caused a train to derail and briefly catch fire. The train was carrying 195 passengers at the time. Minister Ratchakitprakarn has ordered a full investigation into both accidents.

Dangerous Construction Zones: Rama II Expressway

The Samut Sakhon site is located along the Rama II Expressway, which has earned the nickname “Death Road” due to its history of fatal accidents. The expressway hosts several major infrastructure projects, including tollway and elevated highway construction, which have repeatedly been linked to industrial and construction-related deaths.

Al Jazeera correspondent Tony Cheng, reporting from Bangkok, noted that the route affected by the previous crane collapse in Nakhon Ratchasima is heavily used, connecting dense urban areas in northeastern Thailand. He explained that the elevated track for the high-speed rail project is being built on a concrete platform above the existing rail line, adding complexity and risk to construction operations.

Growing Safety Concerns in Thai Construction

Industrial and construction site accidents are a persistent issue in Thailand, where regulatory oversight and safety protocols are often insufficient. The two recent crane collapses have sparked renewed calls for stricter safety enforcement, better training for construction crews, and rigorous equipment inspections, particularly on projects involving heavy machinery and high-rise structures.

Experts warn that Thailand’s rapid infrastructure development, including joint ventures with China on high-speed rail and highway expansion, may increase the risk of future accidents if safety standards are not rigorously enforced.

Investigations and Next Steps

Thai authorities have launched investigations into both crane collapses. These will examine the role of equipment maintenance, operator training, construction site protocols, and the responsibilities of the Italian-Thai Development company.

The government has pledged to provide assistance to the victims’ families and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Meanwhile, safety advocates emphasize the urgent need to prevent further tragedies along Thailand’s busy construction corridors.