On September 29, a significant road collapse in Phayao Province prompted immediate warnings for motorists traveling in the area. Residents reported hearing a loud noise moments before the ground subsided, leading them to take swift action to prevent vehicles from entering the hazardous section.
Eyewitnesses said traffic had been moving steadily before the incident, with cracks on the road surface first appearing between 08:00 and 09:00. Despite the visible damage, cars continued to pass over the deteriorating route, further weakening the road until it finally gave way.
Dashcam footage from a passing vehicle has surfaced, capturing the car driving across the road mere moments before the collapse. The video shows deep cracks stretching across the surface before the road sank dramatically.
The collapse occurred on Phahon Yothin Road, along the Nakhon Sawan-Chiang Rai route, approximately six kilometers from Phayao University. The affected section spans 100 meters in length and has sunk to a depth of about 10 meters. The area borders Ban Chon Daen in Lampang’s Ngao District and Ban Mae Ka Tha Kham in Phayao’s Mae Ka Subdistrict.
Local authorities, including the Phayao Department of Highways, the Luecha Foundation, and the Mae Ka Highway Police, were quickly informed of the incident. Emergency crews immediately closed the damaged road and rerouted traffic to the opposite lane. Drivers are being advised to exercise caution while traveling through the area, with repairs expected to take several days.
The collapse is believed to be the result of heavy rainfall over the past two months, which saturated the soil, eventually causing the road to sink. Local officials continue to monitor the situation closely.
