Bangkok Train Driver Tests Positive for Drugs After Fatal Collision, Charged with Reckless Driving
A freight train driver, identified by Thai police, has tested positive for drugs following a fatal collision with a public bus in Bangkok. The incident on Saturday afternoon at the Asoke-Din Daeng railway crossing resulted in the deaths of eight individuals and left dozens injured after the bus, reportedly stuck on the tracks due to heavy traffic, burst into flames.
The driver has been charged with reckless driving. Police did not specify the exact drugs detected in the urine test. The bus driver and the manually operated barrier guard also face charges.
Investigation into Collision Circumstances
Pichet Kunadhamraks, Director-General of Thailand's rail transport department, stated that preliminary findings from the train's black box indicate the emergency braking system was activated approximately 100 metres from the bus, insufficient to prevent the impact. Authorities have subsequently mandated drug and alcohol testing for all train drivers and railway staff before commencing shifts.
The Asoke-Din Daeng railway crossing is a notorious choke point, leading to one of Bangkok's busiest intersections. Dr Amorn Phimarnmas, President of the Structural Engineers Association of Thailand, estimates that over 100,000 vehicles traverse this crossing daily, exceeding safety thresholds. He highlighted the phenomenon of "risk normalisation" in the area, where the routine exposure to hazards leads to complacency, particularly noting motorcyclists often weave through barriers to bypass traffic.
