BANGKOK, May 17 — The bus driver and freight train driver behind yesterday’s deadly level crossing collision have been charged with reckless driving causing death, The Bangkok Post reported today.
The charges were brought against Sayomporn Suankul, 46, who was driving bus 206, and Lapit Thongboon, 56, who was operating freight train 2126 on the Laem Chabang–Bang Sue route.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the crash occurred when barrier arms could not be lowered because vehicles had stopped on the level crossing, a violation of road rules prohibiting stopping within five metres of rail crossings.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul was reported questioning why railway staff had not warned the train driver about the traffic obstruction ahead, after a site visit yesterday.
The collision took place at 3.41pm at a level crossing on Asok–Din Daeng Road in Huai Khwang district when the freight train struck a passenger bus stuck in a queue on the tracks.
The impact triggered a fire that killed eight people and injured 32 others, while several vehicles were also damaged.
The wreckage was cleared and rail and road services resumed later that night, with flowers laid at the site in memory of the victims.
