CHIANG RAI — A tragic accident at a major railway construction site in northern Thailand has left two workers dead and two others seriously injured. The incident happened inside the Doi Luang tunnel on Saturday afternoon. High-ranking provincial officials rushed to the scene to inspect the area and ensure public safety.
The accident took place around 4:30 PM on June 20, 2026. Workers were installing equipment, believed to be lighting systems, inside the unfinished section of the tunnel. Suddenly, a portion of the structure collapsed onto the scaffolding where the crew was standing. Rescue teams quickly arrived at the scene to transport the victims to the local hospital.
Key Takeaways
- Casualties: Two workers died instantly at the scene, and two others sustained severe injuries.
- The Cause: Officials blame the accident on heavy rainfall, which weakened an exposed, unfinished rock wall inside the tunnel.
- Project Status: The overall Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong railway project is over 64% complete and remains on track to open in January 2028.
- Safety Assurance: Project engineers confirm that the completed sections of the tunnel are entirely safe and structurally sound.
Governor Orders Immediate Site Inspection
Chiang Rai Governor Choocheep Pongchai arrived at the site around 9:00 PM to lead the investigation. He was joined by Doi Luang District Chief Jitrakorn Thiwongwiang and project engineers. The Governor came under direct orders from the Prime Minister, who expressed deep concern over the workplace accident.
Local emergency teams from the Saeng Tham Public Charity Foundation handled the rescue operation. Their emergency vehicles managed to drive directly into the 3.4-kilometer tunnel to retrieve the workers. The Governor has already coordinated with Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital to provide the best possible medical care for the injured survivors.
Weather and Unstable Rock Blamed for Accident
Project engineer Pattapong Boonkaew stated that the accident was an unforeseen event caused by natural factors. The Doi Luang tunnel was successfully bored through last year. Currently, workers are installing concrete protection walls, which are already 75% complete. However, the accident occurred in a section where the rock walls were still bare.
“This mountain absorbs a massive amount of rainwater throughout the year,” the project engineer explained. “The heavy rain accumulated over time and weakened the exposed rock face.”
Engineers emphasized that this incident was highly localized and differed from accidents at other construction sites. To prevent future mishaps, the company will send geological experts to assess the rock strength before work resumes. They will also reinforce the temporary support scaffolding to ensure maximum safety for the crew.
Megaproject Remains on Track for 2028 Opening
Despite the tragic accident, officials confirm that the railway project will move forward without delay. The Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong route spans 323.1 kilometers and connects Thailand directly to the Laos border. The Cabinet approved the massive 85,345 million baht budget back in 2018.
The mega-project features four major train tunnels, including the Ngao tunnel in Lampang, which is the longest railway tunnel in Thailand. Construction progress is currently at 64.448%, which is less than one percent behind the original master plan. Governor Choocheep assured the public that the finished railway line will be completely safe for passenger travel.
According to official updates from the State Railway of Thailand, the entire route is expected to open for public service in January 2028. Provincial authorities will continue to monitor the site closely to ensure strict adherence to engineering safety standards.
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