A massive sinkhole opened up near the historic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Bangkok on Wednesday, September 24, just hours before the annual feast of Our Lady of Mercy and the Redemption of Captives.
The dramatic collapse caused traffic chaos and renewed concerns about infrastructure safety, but the faithful refused to be deterred, flocking to the evening celebration in large numbers.
The collapse occurred in the early hours of the morning in the Samsen district, leaving a gaping hole measuring 30 by 30 meters and plunging more than 20 meters deep.
Video footage circulating online showed the road suddenly caving in, sending shockwaves through the capital and prompting swift emergency measures. Police and municipal workers cordoned off the area, effectively shutting it to traffic.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt later confirmed that the cause was linked to an underground subway construction project. Soil had flowed into a new Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) tunnel after cracks developed at a joint in a shallower section of the line.
“The trouble began when the shallower tunnel developed cracks at a critical joint,” Chadchart explained, adding that engineers were working urgently to stabilize the site and prevent further damage.
Though no one was injured, city officials acknowledged that the incident underscored the risks posed by Bangkok’s rapid urban expansion and complex infrastructure works.
For the local Catholic community, however, the focus was on ensuring that the centuries-old tradition of honoring Our Lady went ahead as planned. Fr. John Bosco Vichit Saenghan, the parish priest, personally went out in the afternoon to verify that church access would not be blocked by the road closures.
“I was worried the faithful might not be able to come,” he said. “But despite the traffic and the collapse nearby, they came with deep faith.”
By evening, the church was packed with worshippers. The annual feast of Our Lady of Mercy of the Redemption of Captives is one of the most significant celebrations at Immaculate Conception, often drawing large crowds.
This year, the sinkhole only seemed to strengthen the determination of the community, with parishioners filling every pew and aisle to attend the Eucharistic celebration.
“We were nervous when we saw the news about the sinkhole,” said parishioner Maria Chantira, 52, who has attended the feast every year since her youth. “But this celebration is part of our lives. I told my family that nothing could stop us from coming to honor Our Lady.”
Others described the journey to the church as unusually difficult. “The traffic was getting better but still terrible, and some of the streets were blocked,” said 27-year-old student Anthony Prasert. “But when I finally arrived and saw the church full of people, I felt so much joy. It was as if the chaos outside did not matter once we were inside in prayer.”
The Church of the Immaculate Conception holds a special place in Thai history. Believed to be the oldest Catholic church in the country, it traces its origins back to the 16th century and has undergone numerous renovations while continuing to serve as a spiritual home for generations of Catholics.
Among its most revered treasures is the statue of Our Lady of Mercy and the Redemption of Captives. According to church tradition, the statue was brought from Cambodia by a French missionary when the church was built.
When the missionary later attempted to return to Cambodia with the statue, legend says his boat could not move, no matter how hard the rowers tried. The statue remained in Bangkok, and since then, the parish has celebrated an annual feast in her honor.
This year, even with a collapsed road just outside, the devotion of the faithful remained unshaken. “It shows that faith is stronger than fear,” said longtime parishioner Somchai Ruangsak, 68. “Our Lady has always protected this church, and tonight, we felt her presence more than ever.”
