Monorail mishap sends metal crashing onto car in Nonthaburi

A Nonthaburi motorist got the shock of his life on Tuesday night, September 24, when a steel rod fell from the Pink Monorail, damaging his vehicle.

The motorist, Wari Thanatornnawanrat was driving along Chaengwattana Road at around 10pm when the rod plunged from the sky, striking his car’s bonnet before smashing into his windscreen and side mirror.

“I couldn’t believe it. It just came out of nowhere.”

Wari immediately contacted his insurance provider, only to face another blow. His insurer informed him that because no third party was involved, the damage wouldn’t be covered. Left with no other option, he filed a report with Nonthaburi police and sought help from the emergency and rescue group Sai Mai Tong Rod.

Fortunately, Wari wasn’t alone in his ordeal. The driver behind him, an official with the Highways Department, witnessed the incident and agreed to testify on his behalf.

The Pink Line, a 34.5-kilometre monorail connecting Pak Kret in Nonthaburi to Bangkok’s Min Buri district, has only been in operation since November last year. This isn’t the first time debris has fallen from the elevated track.

In December, a metal rail collapsed onto the road below near Chon Prathan Market, damaging parked cars.

As Wari waits for answers and repair, questions are being raised about the safety of the Pink Monorail line, reported Thai PBS World.

In related news, the MRT Yellow Line temporarily suspended its service indefinitely following a track breakage after damaged parts fell onto passing cars on Srinakarindra Road on the morning of March 28.

Mueang Prakarn News v2 page reported that the MRT Yellow Line train suddenly stopped mid-journey between Suan Luang Rama IX and Srinagarindra 38 stations at about 8.30am. Some passengers were trapped in the train during the incident.

In other news, Pattaya City held a public consultation to gather feedback on the proposed Red Line Monorail Project. The meeting featured presentations on environmental impact mitigation measures and the planned route.