The Prime Minister revisited the site of the sinkhole in front of Vajira Hospital late Friday night, to follow up on the progress of the repair work, as engineers prepare to cope with the possibility of heavy rain today, which would hamper their work filling the deep hole and restoring traffic flow.
The prime minister told media at the scene that the work has been proceeding steadily, as more concrete and crushed stone had been poured into the sinkhole, adding that he is optimistic that the work can be completed within two weeks.
Meanwhile, Thanet Veerasiri, advisor to the Engineering Institute of Thailand, admitted that his only concern now is over the possibly heavy rainfall this afternoon.
He said that preparations have, however, been made to cope with the forecast rain, adding that workers have blocked water discharge from the drainage system under the Samsen police station into the sinkhole and pumps have been installed to prevent water from flowing into the hole.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said last night that city officials have placed sandbags around the hole to hold water back, while pumps have been installed to remove water from the void.
He also said that officials have checked the condition of Samsen Road with specialised equipment and did not detect any sign of additional substrate subsidence.
About 1,500 out-patients have been treated at Vajira Hospital since it resumed normal services on Friday, after a two-day suspension of operations.
Access to the hospital is still inconvenient though, because Samsen Road remains closed. All visitors are advised to use public transport and Sangkhalok Road instead.
