(Bangkok, 18th) A serious train-bus collision in central Bangkok has resulted in casualties. After investigating the incident and the responsibilities of both the train and bus drivers, police have so far only charged the train driver with causing death by negligence. Investigators are still gathering evidence to determine if others should face legal responsibility.
This accident occurred on Saturday afternoon (May 16) at a busy intersection near Makkasan station, adjacent to the Bangkok Airport Rail Link. A freight train was passing through a busy railroad crossing when it crashed into a public bus that had been forced to stop on the tracks due to traffic light controls ahead. The violent crash instantly triggered a huge fire which spread to nearby vehicles. Eight passengers on the bus died at the scene, and another 32 were injured. Both the train and bus drivers were also injured.
Following the accident, there has been sustained public attention in Thailand regarding responsibility and Bangkok's longstanding rail crossing management issues. The Nation newspaper reported on Sunday (17th) that police had retrieved surveillance footage, the train's journey record, and related communications, focusing on several key issues: the train's speed, railroad crossing controls, why the bus stopped on the tracks, and whether warning signals were issued in time before the incident.
National Police Chief Kittirakhun has urged the public to treat this incident as a warning, and to avoid stopping near railway tracks, especially during heavy traffic, to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin inspected the accident scene late Saturday night and questioned why railway staff did not warn the train driver in advance that there was a vehicle blocking the crossing ahead.
Bangkok Mayor Chadchart stated that the accident was caused by vehicles stopping at the crossing, preventing the barrier from being lowered. According to Thai traffic law, parking is prohibited within five meters of a railway crossing and its surroundings.
Following the accident, there has been sustained public attention in Thailand regarding responsibility and Bangkok's longstanding rail crossing management issues. The Nation newspaper reported on Sunday (17th) that police had retrieved surveillance footage, the train's journey record, and related communications, focusing on several key issues: the train's speed, railroad crossing controls, why the bus stopped on the tracks, and whether warning signals were issued in time before the incident.
National Police Chief Kittirakhun has urged the public to treat this incident as a warning, and to avoid stopping near railway tracks, especially during heavy traffic, to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin inspected the accident scene late Saturday night and questioned why railway staff did not warn the train driver in advance that there was a vehicle blocking the crossing ahead.
Bangkok Mayor Chadchart stated that the accident was caused by vehicles stopping at the crossing, preventing the barrier from being lowered. According to Thai traffic law, parking is prohibited within five meters of a railway crossing and its surroundings.