World · Singapore Bureau
Pagoda spire collapses at Chiang Mai temple, probe underway
Authorities in Thailand's northern Chiang Mai province are investigating the sudden collapse of a spire at Wat Mai Nong Hoi temple in Doi Lo District. The incident has prompted officials to examine structural and environmental factors that may have contributed to the damage.
LSN Singapore ·
The spire of the historic pagoda at Wat Mai Nong Hoi crumbled without warning, prompting immediate response from local authorities and temple officials. The collapse occurred at the religious site located in Doi Lo District, a rural area of Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand.
Investigators have begun examining the temple structure to determine what caused the structural failure. Preliminary assessments will focus on factors including the pagoda's age, construction materials, maintenance history, and potential environmental stressors such as weather conditions or ground instability.
Temple authorities have secured the affected area to prevent further damage or injury. The incident has raised concerns about the structural integrity of other heritage religious sites in the region, with officials indicating they may conduct broader inspections of similar structures.
The collapse comes as Thailand continues to grapple with preservation challenges at numerous Buddhist temples and religious monuments scattered across the country. Experts have previously warned that many older pagodas and temples face deterioration due to age, limited funding for maintenance, and exposure to seasonal weather patterns common to Southeast Asia.
As investigation efforts continue, authorities have not yet released a timeline for completion of their assessment or disclosed preliminary findings regarding the cause of the collapse.