A large sinkhole opened on Samsen Road in front of Vajira Hospital on Wednesday morning, forcing hospital evacuations and road closures. Officials said no injuries were reported.
The incident occurred at around 7:13am, creating a hole about 50 metres deep and measuring 30 metres wide and 30 metres long. The collapse took place directly above Vajira Hospital train station.
Traffic between Vajira and Sanghi intersections was immediately closed for safety, the Dusit District Office confirmed.
Outpatient services at Vajira Hospital were suspended, while about 3,500 inpatients were evacuated from nearby buildings. Initial inspections indicated that hospital structures remained intact.
Residents living in nearby apartments were also told to evacuate as a precaution.
Two electricity poles and a police vehicle fell into the hole after the ground gave way. The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) dispatched crews to secure the site.
The location had previously been closed for construction of the MRT Purple Line extension between Tao Poon and Rat Burana.
The cause of the subsidence has not yet been confirmed. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt arrived at the scene with a team of officials to oversee the situation.
Mr. Chadchart later explained that the sinkhole formed at the junction between the station and the tunnel. Soil flowed into the tunnel, causing nearby structures to collapse and rupturing a large water pipe.
Authorities cut off water and electricity supplies in the area to control the risk. Emergency measures included sealing the tunnel leak, monitoring soil movement, assessing nearby buildings, and diverting traffic.
The governor warned that heavy rain posed an additional threat, with the possibility of more soil flowing into the opening. A team was set up to evaluate rainfall scenarios and prepare responses.
Hospital officials said outpatient services would remain suspended for two days, though inpatient care continued.
Other hospitals under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration were made available to handle outpatient cases.
The BMA announced that meetings would be held daily at noon and 6pm to monitor the situation and coordinate further action.
