BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has visited the site of the fatal train–bus collision near the Airport Rail Link Makkasan station, expressing condolences to the families of the deceased and injured while ordering urgent assistance, identification procedures, and a full investigation into the cause of the accident. The Prime Minister, accompanied by senior cabinet members including the Minister of Public Health, Deputy Interior Ministers, and top officials from relevant agencies, arrived at the crash site late on May 16, shortly after returning to Bangkok from an official provincial visit. He inspected the wreckage of the BMTA air-conditioned bus involved in the collision with a freight train carrying container goods.
At the site, Anutin was briefed by the Royal Thai Police Commissioner, State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Governor Anan Phonimdaeng, and Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) executives. He also reviewed evidence collected by forensic officers and visited a temporary victim assistance center in Ratchathewi district, where injured survivors are being registered and supported.
The Prime Minister expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, stating that the government will provide full support to affected families and ensure that injured victims receive the best possible medical care. He also instructed authorities to expedite identification procedures for the deceased and accelerate compensation and relief measures.
“First and foremost, we must take care of the injured and prevent further loss of life. Identification and assistance for the victims must be done as quickly as possible,” he said. Anutin emphasized that authorities must thoroughly investigate the incident and determine how the vehicle became trapped on the railway crossing. He noted that preliminary footage reviewed by the Royal Thai Police suggests a vehicle was stopped over the tracks. He questioned why warning systems and traffic management measures did not prevent the incident, especially at a location with two railway crossings within a short distance. He called for a review of safety procedures, warning mechanisms, and coordination between agencies responsible for railway crossings and traffic control. “It should not be possible for any vehicle to stop across a railway track. That is something that must be addressed immediately,” he said.
However, the Prime Minister stressed that the priority remains emergency response efforts, including treatment for around 30 injured individuals and the return of victims’ remains to their families for religious rites as quickly as possible. When asked about claims by the Police Commissioner that evidence showed the bus had stopped across the tracks, Anutin declined to comment directly, saying he had not yet discussed the details with police leadership and would defer to the ongoing investigation. Following his briefing, the Prime Minister departed the scene shortly after 23:00 as officials continued clearing debris and preparing to reopen the road. Before leaving, he briefly met with political figures at the site in an informal exchange, though no official discussions were reported. Authorities say the investigation into the crash remains ongoing, with multiple agencies coordinating to determine responsibility and assess potential safety reforms at railway crossings across Bangkok. (TNA)
