Train derailment leaves 23 injured

The passengers were sleeping when the train’s seven compartments toppled over onto their sides in Denchai district at about 3am.

Eighteen foreign tourists, among them residents of Australia, France, Spain, Japan and the United States, suffered minor injuries, including those from and the United States.

The overnight sleeper express train had about 300 passengers on board when the accident took place.

“Derailments happen quite often,” said State Railway of Thailand governor Prapat Chongsanguan. 

The tracks were undergoing upgrading.

Buses and vans were mobilised to transport affected passengers, local and foreign, from Denchai to Chiang Mai. Three foreigners suffered broken arms and 24 passengers had minor injuries. They were sent to the district hospital. 

Chalermwoot Rakkhatiwong, Denchai district chief, said all passengers have been transferred from the scene. 

The train left Bangkok at 7pm on July 16. 

The accident has resulted in suspension of the northbound trains and a change in schedules. Express trains scheduled to run today between Bangkok and Chiang Mai have been cancelled. Normal trains from Chiang Mai will operate as usual, but passengers in Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Lampang will have to take buses to board the train at Uttaradit station. Affected passengers can return tickets and receive full compensation.