The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday held a meeting with all relevant agencies to come up with measures to prevent the theft of manhole covers and to boost pedestrian safety along pavements across the city.
Narong Ruangsri, deputy permanent secretary of the BMA yesterday chaired the meeting that involved the Public Works Department, Drainage and Sewerage Department, Traffic and Transportation Department, Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, Mass Rapid Transit Authority, National Telecom, Highways Department and Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA).
The matter caught public attention after a 59-year-old man died after falling into a 15-metre-deep manhole supervised by the MEA on a road divider in Bangkok's Lat Phrao district on Friday.
According to reports, the victim was crossing the road when he stepped onto the plywood cover, which was used to replace an iron manhole cover that had been stolen, resulting in his fall.
A similar case took place in Thon Buri district on Sunday morning when a motorcyclist died from falling into a drainage system inside the Mahai Sawan underpass.
One section of the drainage system was left open after the lid was stolen and not replaced. In light of the incidents, the BMA has stressed the importance of safety measures regarding manholes along pavements and stringent inspections will be carried out during and after MEA work, said Mr Narong.
Relevant central officials and district offices have been instructed to beef up inspections and immediately report any irregularities, as the problem must be solved within 24 hours.
The BMA also stressed the integration of relevant agencies to deal with public complaints received via Traffy Fondue -- City Hall's reporting application. He said re-inspections might also be carried out to ensure the problems are solved properly.
The BMA is working on an app to receive public feedback after each problem is fixed.
City Hall will work with relevant agencies to decide whether to implement a lock system or change the material of manhole covers. An artificial intelligence (AI) system may be added to provide real-time reports of the city's manhole cover status.
Warning signs for every manhole must be erected near construction sites.
Satit Pongsathonwiboon, assistant MEA governor, also said there are plans to replace iron manhole covers with ultra-high performance concrete in areas where the risk of theft is greatest first.