Deadly Train and Bus Collision in Thailand Causes Bus to Catch Fire
A collision between a freight train and a bus has killed eight people in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. The crash, which occurred on Saturday (16/5), also injured at least 35 others.
According to the AFP news agency, police said that firefighters and rescue workers have cordoned off the area where the collision took place.
Pedestrians were evacuated from the busy city intersection, which is used by tens of thousands of vehicles every day.
“Eight people died and 35 others were injured,” Bangkok police chief Urumporn Koondejsumrit told AFP.
Photos on social media show the train approaching a level crossing at moderate speed before hitting the bus, which immediately burst into flames.
“The fire has been put out and we are working to remove the bodies,” said Urumporn.
A witness who was at the scene at the time of the incident described the terrifying conditions of the deadly crash.
“I didn’t dare look back to see if there were any victims,” said a witness who was near the intersection with her daughter, according to Thai PBS public broadcaster.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered an investigation into the incident, according to a statement from his office.
Fatal traffic accidents are common in Thailand. The country often ranks high on lists of the world’s deadliest roads. High speeds, drunk driving and poor law enforcement are among the causes.
The Bangkok police have charged the bus driver and the freight train engineer involved in the collision in Thailand. They were charged with reckless driving causing death.
According to the Bangkok Post, Sunday (17/5/2026), charges were filed against Sayomporn Suankul (46), the driver of bus number 206, and Lapit Thongboon (56), the engineer of freight train Laem Chabang-Bang Sue number 2126.
The collision occurred at a level crossing on Asok-Din Daeng Road in Huai Khwang district at 3:41 p.m. on Saturday. The freight train hit a passenger bus that was stopped on the tracks because it was stuck in traffic near the location.
As a result, the collision caused the bus to catch fire. At least eight people died in the incident.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the crash occurred because the level crossing barriers could not be lowered due to a vehicle stopping on the level crossing. According to law, vehicles are prohibited from stopping on the tracks and within a radius of five meters.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul inspected the scene on Saturday evening and asked why there were no railway officials warning the train engineer about the traffic congestion at the level crossing. He said that the road is always busy.
The debris from the accident has been cleared, while the train has been moved from the tracks on Saturday night. The road has now been reopened to road and rail traffic. Meanwhile, flowers have been laid at the scene as a sign of mourning for the victims.