Two dead, two injured in northern Thailand railway tunnel collapse

CHIANG RAI, June 22 (TNA) - A tunnel collapse at a railway construction site in northern Thailand has left two workers dead and two others injured, with officials pointing to heavy rains as a likely factor.

The incident occurred at the Doi Luang tunnel project, part of a new railway line in Chiang Rai province. The casualties include both Thai and Myanmar nationals.

Chiang Rai Governor Choocheep Pongchai inspected the site and described the collapse as an accident linked to accumulated heavy rainfall, adding that the incident would not affect the project's main structure. Project engineers stated that the rainfall had weakened an unreinforced section of the 3.4-kilometer tunnel wall, which was 75% complete.

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) ordered a two-day suspension of work at the site to allow experts to inspect structural integrity and determine the exact cause. The state operator added that contractors would provide full compensation and medical coverage to those affected.

Deputy Transport Minister Pattarapong Phataraprasit said relevant agencies are investigating whether technical factors or negligence contributed to the collapse.

The 85.3-billion-baht railway project is scheduled for completion in January 2028. -819 (TNA)