The State Railway of Thailand says it has suspended two more employees from safety-related duties after they tested positive for drugs, as part of a stepped-up screening programme following the fatal train-bus collision in Bangkok on Saturday.
The SRT said on Thursday that the screenings form part of enhanced safety measures introduced after the accident, which took the lives of eight people. The driver of the train tested positive for drug use.
Drug tests conducted on May 19 among 157 employees found no traces of narcotics, the agency said. However, tests carried out on May 20 on 141 employees identified two workers with positive results.
Both were ordered to stop performing safety-related duties immediately and referred for confirmatory medical examinations.
The SRT said disciplinary procedures would be carried out, while the employees would also enter screening and rehabilitation programmes in accordance with public health guidelines.
Acting governor Anan Phonimdaeng said the SRT would continue proactive drug testing nationwide among staff involved in train operations and would show no leniency in cases affecting public safety.
The recent train-bus crash prompted the SRT to review safety measures, particularly the prevention and resolution of drug-related problems within the organisation, said Mr Anan.
Identification pending
Meanwhile, police forensic officials on Thursday were still trying to identify the final victim from the train-bus collision.
Authorities have so far identified seven victims from the crash involving a train and a Route 206 bus at the Asok-Din Daeng crossing, said Pol Maj Gen Wirun Supasinghsiripreecha, commander of the Institute of Forensic Medicine at Police General Hospital.
Five bodies were handed over to relatives on Wednesday.
Among them was a 33-year-old woman from Chiang Mai, identified through DNA testing as Supaporn Jongjit. Her father had travelled from the northern province to provide a DNA sample. Her family was bringing her remains home on Thursday for funeral rites.
Another victim, a Myanmar national, has yet to be repatriated because of pending embassy documentation. Officials expect the process to be completed soon.
Pol Maj Gen Wirun said the final unidentified victim was male, but authorities had not yet been able to confirm his identity or nationality.
Although colleagues have come forward with information, no direct blood relatives have been located, preventing DNA comparison.
Investigators from the Makkasan police station were continuing efforts to trace relatives and obtain samples for identification, said Pol Maj Gen Wirun.
Forensic officials have also successfully matched four additional body parts recovered from the scene. The remains belonged collectively to all eight victims and were mostly severed hands and feet.
The tragedy occurred on a level crossing on Asok-Din Daeng Road in Huai Khwang district of Bangkok around mid-afternoon on Saturday, May 16.
The freight train hit a passenger bus that had stopped on the level crossing because the road was heavily congested. The safety barriers were not engaged.
Eight people were killed and dozens of others injured. The bus burst into flames. Four cars and 15 motorcycles were also damaged.
