Thailand Halts Major Construction Amid Crane Safety Concerns

Thailand's Transport Ministry has ordered a 15-day halt on construction projects involving Italian-Thai Development PCL following two fatal crane accidents. Safety inspections are underway. The decision also affects other significant projects, with potential legal action if safety standards are not met.

In a decisive move, Thailand's Transport Ministry has paused construction on 14 projects orchestrated by Italian-Thai Development PCL, implementing a 15-day halt for safety inspections. This decision comes after two catastrophic crane accidents resulted in fatalities this week, prompting urgent action to prevent further incidents.

Established in 1958, ITD has accepted responsibility for the accidents and pledged to provide adequate compensation and care for the victims' families. Transport Ministry Deputy Permanent Secretary, Chirapong Theppithuck, emphasized the necessity of expert safety inspections, extending the construction pause to other major contracts under the Ministry's purview.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has vowed to terminate ITD's contracts for the affected projects and proceed with legal action. These projects, crucial to Thailand's high-speed rail and infrastructural development, underscore the urgent balancing of rapid economic goals with essential public safety considerations.

(With inputs from agencies.)