Thai PM urges swift response to fatal Bangkok collision

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul urged local agencies to expedite assistance and provide full care to victims following a train-bus collision in downtown Bangkok which resulted in eight deaths and 25 injuries.

The serious collision occurred between a freight train and a public bus near the Airport Link Makkasan Station at about 3:40 pm on Saturday. Witnesses reported that the bus stopped near the railway tracks due to a traffic jam and was struck by an oncoming freight train.

The force of the impact caused the bus to catch fire, sending thick smoke into the surrounding area and damaging nearby vehicles, with rescue teams, firefighters and medical personnel deployed to the scene.

Authorities later confirmed that those killed were passengers on the bus, while dozens of injured victims were transferred to nearby hospitals for treatment, with several remaining in critical condition.

The Thai Department of Rail Transport has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Early information indicates that traffic congestion near the crossing may have prevented the bus from clearing the tracks before the train arrived. Authorities are also examining whether the railway warning signals and crossing barriers were functioning properly at the time of the incident.

During his visit to the accident site on Saturday night, Anutin instructed relevant agencies to conduct a full investigation and review railway crossing safety measures. The incident has renewed public concern about transportation safety in Thailand, particularly in heavily congested urban areas where rail lines intersect with road traffic.