Flowers laid at level-crossing where train crashed into bus killing eight people
Flowers were laid at a railway crossing where a deadly train crash killed at least eight people and injured dozens more in Thailand.
Mourners offered wreaths and prayers at the Makkasan station in Bangkok on May 17, a day following the tragic collision.
A freight train smashed into vehicles on a congested level-crossing below the station, where a monorail shuttles hundreds of tourists to the airport every few minutes.
Urumporn Koondejsumrit, chief of the Makkasan Police Station, said both the train driver, Sayomporn Sornkoon, 46, and the on-duty crossing guard, Uthen Jomkhiri, 57, have been arrested. Drugs were allegedly detected in the driver's body.
He added: 'The train driver has been charged with negligence causing death, as evidence clearly indicates reckless conduct leading to fatalities.'
Phichet Khunathamrak, director-general of the Department of Rail Transport, said drug tests conducted on the train operator showed positive results in urine screening.
Further laboratory analysis is underway, along with ongoing legal proceedings.
Authorities said the crash occurred on the rail line intersecting busy Asok-Din Daeng Road at exactly 3:36 pm local time.
The barrier, which is normally lowered to prevent vehicles from being on the tracks as trains approach, was still raised. The crossing operator has been charged with negligence causing death and injury, and tested negative for drugs.
A resident in the area said: ‘I have been living here since 2000. The issue of vehicles stopping on the train tracks is a chronic problem that occurs every day.
‘I feel sorry for the officials who have to deal with it because many drivers lack discipline.
‘Even when the barrier has already been lowered, some people still drive underneath it.'
Footage of the crash showed black smoke rising from burning wreckage as traffic was brought to a standstill.
CCTV cameras overlooking the crossing also captured the collision, with bus passengers being hurled through the glass before flames and smoke engulfed the vehicle.
A car and a large blue public transport bus were engulfed in flames as motorists scrambled to pull a second car away from danger.
Several motorcycles were scattered across the ground.
Paramedics at the scene said at least eight people were killed and 32 others injured.
Officers said the bus driver would also be charged, but he remained under medical treatment and was unable to be questioned.
Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt, Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat and BMTA director Kittikan Chomduang Jaruworapolkul attended the scene to oversee the response.
The Makkasan station is where thousands of tourists take the the sky train every day on the Airport Rail Link. However, the level crossing below, which is a separate overland train line, has become notorious for heavy traffic, with cars often getting stuck on the rail lines as the barrier lowers and trains approach.
Thailand has one of the world's worst road safety records. Ministers have set the goal of reducing fatalities from 32.7 deaths per 100,000 people to 12 per 100,000 people by the year 2027.
