A deadly collision between a freight train and a public bus in central Bangkok has left at least eight people dead and 35 others injured, raising urgent questions over railway crossing safety in one of the Thai capital’s busiest traffic corridors.
The crash happened Saturday afternoon near the Airport Rail Link’s Makkasan Station, along Asok-Din Daeng Road, after a Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) bus on Route 206, traveling between Kasetsart University and Mega Bangna, became trapped on the railway tracks amid heavy traffic.
Initial reports from transport officials said the bus had stopped at a red light while still on the crossing, preventing the railway barrier from fully closing. A container train traveling from Laem Chabang Port to Bang Sue then struck the bus and dragged it for about 50 meters before the vehicle burst into flames.
The collision also hit nearby cars and motorcycles, several of which caught fire. Firefighters and rescue teams rushed to the scene after police were alerted through the 199 emergency hotline at around 3:42 pm. Responders reported hearing intermittent popping sounds as flames engulfed the air-conditioned bus.
Fire crews were able to bring the blaze under control within minutes, but rescue workers later recovered the bodies of eight passengers from inside the burned bus. The bodies were transported to the Police General Hospital for identification and notification of relatives.
Police said 35 other people, including motorists and motorcycle riders caught in the crash, were injured and taken to nearby hospitals. Two of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said traffic congestion may have contributed to the failure of the barriers to operate properly. Eyewitnesses also claimed the rail crossing barrier appeared to be malfunctioning before the crash, while online footage reportedly showed the barrier stuck at the time of impact.
Authorities are now reviewing radio communications between the crossing operator and the train driver, following reports that the driver may have been warned that vehicles were stuck on the tracks but did not respond in time.
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat said the freight train, which was carrying heavy containers, could not stop quickly enough before hitting the bus. The Ministry of Transport, State Railway of Thailand and BMTA are monitoring the case as investigators determine the full cause of the crash.
BMTA director Kittikan Chomduang Jaruworapolkul expressed condolences to the victims’ families and said the agency would provide assistance and compensation to those affected on both legal and humanitarian grounds.