Tourist train collided with trailer truck on illegal road crossing: SRT
Saturday’s collision between a tourist train and an 18-wheel trailer truck in Saraburi occurred at an illegal road crossing, according to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).
The train was returning from Pa Sak Jolasid Dam when it slammed into the trailer in Kaeng Khoi district, injuring the train mechanic, truck driver and a passenger.
The SRT stated that it would not be held liable for the accident as the road over the railway at this point was built without permission.
The SRT Workers Union posted photos of the scene, where the trailer was snapped in two by the impact and the truck’s cabin lay on its side.
Railway unions questioned safety measures overseen by the Transport and Interior ministries, SRT and local government.
Thailand has a total of 2,630 railway crossings. Of these, 1,409 have gates, 186 have traffic signs, five have liftable barriers, 195 are railway bridges and 215 are railway underpasses. However, the remaining 620 crossings were set up by villagers, local government organisations or private companies.
The SRT has closed 122 illegal crossings, but locals in many areas have protested that its moves block access points to main roads. Many illegal crossings have thus been reopened.