Makkasan crash lays bare decades of rail neglect
A train slammed into an air-conditioned bus at the Makkasan railway crossing on Asok-Din Daeng Road, killing eight people and injuring 32 others. The crash has raised serious questions about Thailand’s rail safety standards and the many level crossings that continue to pose risks nationwide.
Police investigations point to several contributing factors. The train driver was found to be impaired by cannabis and methamphetamine and did not hold a proper train-driving licence, as the relevant law has yet to be enforced. Signal and barrier operators were also found to be negligent, and the bus driver had parked across the tracks. All parties face charges of negligence leading to injury and death.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed condolences and ordered the State Railway of Thailand and the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) to assist the injured and the families of the deceased. He also tasked the transport ministry with studying solutions for railway crossings, including the construction of tunnels and underpasses.
Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced interim compensation measures. Families of those killed will receive 2,390,000 baht, while the BMTA will cover medical expenses for the injured ranging from 80,000 to 1,000,000 baht. Network partners will contribute an additional 30,000 baht, with 20,000 baht coming from an accident fund. The State Railway of Thailand will provide an initial 5,000 baht, with further compensation of up to 50,000 baht for those in ICU.
The transport ministry is also reviewing the possible relocation of freight and passenger train interchange points outside Bangkok, with a study due within three months.
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat called for immediate steps to reduce human error, including banning daytime freight train operations and increasing drug testing for train drivers. He also proposed deploying police at high-risk crossings in coordination with the BMTA and Transport Co., Ltd., with technology-based safety controls to follow in the medium term and infrastructure improvements planned for the long term.
Thailand’s 673 informal crossings
Pichit Khunathamrak, director-general of the Department of Rail Transport, said Thailand has 2,628 railway crossings in total. Of these, 1,955 meet safety standards, while 673 are informal crossings. In Bangkok, 29 of 208 crossings remain informal and risky.
Pichit called for reviving the Red Line suburban train project, which includes elevated tracks and underpasses to address crossing problems in urban areas. He also proposed implementing Automatic Train Protection (ATP) systems, which automatically slow or stop trains when obstacles are detected or signals are missed.
Anant Phonimdaeng, acting governor of the State Railway of Thailand, backed accelerating the Red Line project, which the Cabinet has approved and is undergoing review. The project is targeted for submission by 2028, with operations expected by 2034.
Beyond infrastructure, officials acknowledged a deeper problem: the habit of ignoring traffic rules has become the norm among road users. Even with improved crossings and technology, the government and relevant agencies face the harder task of changing driver behaviour and instilling traffic discipline before severe accidents stop repeating. reported KhaoSod.
Latest Thailand News
Follow The Thaiger on Google News:
