Bangkok’s Vajira Hospital Fully Reopens as Samsen Road Repair Pushes Ahead

BANGKOK, Sept 26 (VoM): Vajira Hospital has fully reopened its outpatient department, treating around 1,500 patients on its first day back in service, while authorities press on with urgent repairs to Samsen Road following a major subsidence incident.

Dusit district director Thienchai Wongsuwan said the hospital, along with Samsen Police Station and relevant agencies, has coordinated to manage traffic in the affected area. With Samsen Road still closed, patients and visitors are being redirected via Sangkhalok Road, which has been temporarily opened for two-way traffic.

He acknowledged some challenges, including confusion among road users and illegal parking by motorcyclists, but said overall traffic flow remained manageable. Utilities such as water and electricity have been restored, although some areas are still experiencing low water pressure. Internet services are also back online.

Residents impacted by the incident have been urged to register for official assistance.

Meanwhile, Kajpajon Udomthammaphakdi, governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), said remedial works began Thursday with sandbags and concrete used to seal underground voids. The first layers of concrete have already set, with further pouring scheduled through Sunday.

From Sept 29, MRTA and its contractor will begin backfilling with 5,000–6,000 cubic meters of sand, a process expected to take up to a week, followed by road resurfacing.

“We confirm Samsen Road will reopen within the planned timeframe, though continuous rainfall remains a risk factor,” Kajpajon said, adding that water pumps had been prepared with the Dusit district office and the Bangkok Drainage and Sewerage Department.

Vajira Hospital director Anusaeng Jitsomkasem said outpatient appointments reached 2,100 on Friday, with 1,500 patients attending. Inpatient services have also resumed with 720 beds, while the emergency department reopened Thursday afternoon to cover four surrounding districts.

Specialist clinics were set to reopen Friday, alongside the resumption of dialysis and surgeries. About 20 operations were performed on the first day.

By Monday (Sept 29), the hospital expects to handle around 3,000 outpatients and has urged visitors to use public transport to ease congestion in the area.