8 dead in Bangkok train-bus collision: Driver, 46, tests positive for drugs & doesn't hold licence

The driver of the freight train that collided with a public bus in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 16, tested positive for drugs, and did not have a rail transport licence.

The train driver, who was also injured, and a railway-crossing guard have been charged with negligence causing injury and death on May 17, AFP reported.

Train driver

The driver of the Laem Chabang-Bang Sue freight train number 2126 was identified as 46-year-old Sayomporn Suankul.

He tested positive for drugs following a urine test, The Bangkok Post reported.

He was apparently found with methamphetamine and marijuana substances in his urine.

He also allegedly did not hold a train operator’s licence from the Department of Rail Transport.

Suankul was suspended from duty and faces punishment for a serious disciplinary offence, in addition to legal charges.

Thai government response

The findings were posted online by Pichet Kunadhamraks, director-general of the Department of Rail Transport.

Kunadhamraks ordered alcohol and drug tests for all department employees involved in train operations.

An investigation into the railway supervisors who allowed Suankul to operate the train involved in the collision was also demanded.

The Thai government will compensate 2.39 million baht (S$93,809) per deceased victim.

A plan to restrict where and when trains were allowed to travel through central Bangkok was also considered.

Background

A freight train in Bangkok collided with a public bus on May 16 at about 3:40pm.

The bus was stuck at a red light on the railway tracks before the crash.

As a result, the railway barrier was unable to come down.

Eight people were killed, and 30 were injured, lower than an initial report of 35 from local police on the day of the incident.

The collision occurred near the Airport Rail Link station on Asok-Din Daeng Road in Huai Khwang district.

In video footage circulating online, a freight train was seen colliding with a stationary orange public bus, causing an explosion upon impact.

The bus was seen being dragged a distance away until the train came to a stop.

The fires from the explosion were eventually brought under control at about 3:59pm.

The freight train was found to have carried containers, which made it heavy and unable to brake in time before the collision.