PATTAYA, Thailand – A thick cloud of mysterious smoke filled the Central Pattaya or Pattaya Klang underpass early Thursday morning, Sept 17, forcing rescue officials to temporarily close the tunnel over fears of a fire and secondary crashes. At around 4:30 a.m., the Sawang Boriboon rescue centre received reports from motorists about heavy smoke inside the underpass on Sukhumvit.
Rescue teams arriving at the scene found the tunnel covered in dense smoke, severely reducing visibility and making it difficult for motorists to see the road ahead. No flames or clear source of the smoke were initially found, although a strong burning smell was detected. Officials immediately closed the underpass and began searching for the source while preventing vehicles from entering the affected area.
Rescue officer Yutthana Siriwong said a burning smell was detected near the tunnel exit, but there were no visible flames. The smoke appeared to have started near the exit before being pushed back into the tunnel by the wind, where it continued to accumulate. Officials initially suspected a possible electrical fault or short circuit involving the tunnel’s electrical system or ventilation fans. However, the cause had not been confirmed. Pattaya City firefighters and relevant agencies were subsequently called in to conduct a detailed inspection of the tunnel’s internal systems and determine the source of the smoke while checking for any potential fire risk.
