Overview
- Near the Airport Rail Link’s Makkasan station, a cargo train struck a public bus Saturday around 3:40 pm, triggering a fast fire that engulfed the bus and nearby vehicles as firefighters rushed to contain the blaze.
- Authorities confirmed eight deaths, all on the bus, with injuries reported across hospitals ranging from 32 to 35.
- Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat said early findings indicate the bus was halted on the tracks at a red light, which kept the crossing barriers from closing and left the train unable to stop in time.
- Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered investigators to review signal data, barrier function and traffic conditions at the Asok-Din Daeng Road crossing.
- The crash renewed scrutiny of Thailand’s busy level crossings and road-rail safety, a long-running concern following repeated serious collisions and recent high-casualty transit disasters.