May 17, 2026 | Burma Independent Voice
Bangkok police have filed criminal charges of “reckless driving causing death” against both the bus driver and the freight train engineer involved in a deadly collision that occurred on Saturday afternoon.
The individuals facing charges have been identified as 46-year-old Sayonpon Sonku, the driver of the No. 206 route bus, and 56-year-old Larpit Thaungbun, the engineer of Laem Chabang–Bang Sue freight train No. 2126.
The collision occurred at 3:41 PM on Saturday at a railway crossing on Asoke-Din Daeng Road in Huai Khwang district. The freight train slammed into the bus, which was trapped on the tracks due to heavy traffic at a nearby intersection. The impact triggered a massive fire on the bus, resulting in 8 fatalities and injuring 32 others, while also damaging several nearby vehicles.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt noted that the gridlock on the tracks had prevented the automated railway crossing barriers from lowering properly. Under traffic laws, vehicles are strictly prohibited from stopping on railway crossings or within a five-meter radius of the tracks.
Late Saturday night, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the crash site and questioned why railway station staff failed to alert the incoming train engineer about the gridlocked vehicles on the tracks. He also emphasized that the section of the road is notorious for severe traffic congestion.
Wreckage from the crash has since been cleared, and the damaged train was towed away, allowing authorities to fully reopen the roadway late Saturday night. Mourners have begun placing floral bouquets at the site of the tragedy to honor the victims.
