Safety
Large Steel Raft Collides with Bridge in Chainat Following Heavy Rains
A massive steel raft broke loose in Chainat province due to heavy rainfall, drifting 13 kilometers down the Chao Phraya River before becoming lodged against a bridge.
On September 24, 2026, heavy rainfall in Chainat province caused a large steel raft, previously moored at Wat Thammaramul, to break free from its moorings. The structure drifted over 13 kilometers down the Chao Phraya River, eventually becoming stuck against a bridge in the Tha Chai sub-district.
Deputy Minister of Transport Phatthaphong Phatthaprasit and Chainat Governor Phumwat Udomsap visited the site to assess the situation. Local authorities, including the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) Region 16, the Royal Irrigation Department, and the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, are currently working to secure and remove the raft. The primary concern is preventing the heavy structure from damaging the bridge's structural integrity, which could pose a significant safety risk to commuters and local residents.
For residents and travelers in the area, this incident may cause localized traffic disruptions or temporary closures near the affected bridge while recovery operations are underway. It is advised to follow instructions from local officials and avoid the immediate vicinity of the riverbank near the bridge. At this time, the full extent of any potential damage to the bridge structure remains to be confirmed by engineering teams, and the timeline for the complete removal of the raft is still being determined.