Bangkok police have charged both the driver of the passenger bus and the freight train involved in Saturday afternoon's collision with reckless driving causing death.
The charges were brought against Sayomporn Suankul, the 46-year-old driver of Laem Chabang-Bang Sue freight train number 2126, and Lapit Thongboon, 56, the driver of bus 206.
The collision happened at a level crossing on Asok-Din Daeng Road in Huai Khwang district at 3.41pm on Saturday. The freight train hit the passenger bus, which had stopped on the tracks, part of a queue of traffic at a traffic light. The collision set the bus on fire, killed eight people and left 32 injured, and damaged several other vehicles.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the collision occurred because the barrier arms could not be lowered because there were vehicles stopped on the level crossing. By law, vehicles were banned from stopping on crossings and within a five-metre perimeter.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul inspected the scene late Saturday night and asked why no railway staff had warned the train driver of the traffic blockage at the level crossing. He said that section of road was always heavily congested.
The wreckage was cleared and the train moved away from the crossing late Saturday night, and it was reopened to road and rail traffic. Flowers were placed at the scene in mourning for the victims.
Rescue workers prepare to remove the wrecked bus. (Photo: Bangkok Metropolitan Administration)
A car damaged during the collision is loaded on a truck for removal as the level crossing is cleared and then reopened late Saturday night. (Photo: Bangkok Metropolitan Administration)
