Bus Hit by Train Near Rama 9 Bursts Into Flames

UPDATE

Train Hits Bangkok Bus, Killing at Least Six Near Makkasan

Picture courtesy of

Six people have died and 10 others were injured after a freight train collided with a public bus and several vehicles near Makkasan Airport Rail Link station in Bangkok on Saturday afternoon, triggering a major fire.

Emergency services were alerted at 3.40pm on 16 May 2026 following reports of a bus fire caused by a collision near the railway crossing on Asok-Din Daeng Road in Makkasan subdistrict, Ratchathewi district. Firefighters and rescue crews from Phaya Thai Fire and Rescue Station rushed to the scene after receiving calls through the 199 emergency hotline and the Line application.

Initial investigations found that a train struck a public bus and several motorcycles, causing a fire to break out. Authorities first reported around 10 injuries at the scene. At 3.59pm, officials confirmed that six people had been found dead inside the bus. Authorities said further details remained under investigation and more updates would follow.

Dashcam footage circulating after the crash captured the moments leading up to the collision. The video showed heavy traffic congestion near the railway crossing, with vehicles stationary and blocking part of the tracks when a freight train carrying cargo containers approached.

The train then struck the bus and several nearby vehicles, causing a fire to erupt. Thick smoke and flames engulfed the area as emergency crews attempted to contain the blaze and rescue victims trapped inside the wreckage.

Khaosod reported that investigators are expected to examine the dashcam footage, traffic conditions and railway crossing procedures as part of the inquiry into the cause of the crash. Officials have not yet released the identities of the victims.

Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod16 May 2026

UPDATE

Death Toll Rises to Eight in Bangkok Bus/Train Crash

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

The death toll has risen to eight after a freight train slammed into a Bangkok bus and several vehicles near Makkasan Airport Rail Link station on Saturday afternoon, sparking a fierce fire that engulfed the bus.

The collision involved an air-conditioned Route 206 bus, a freight train, private vehicles and motorcycles near the Airport Rail Link Makkasan station on Asok-Din Daeng Road in Bang Kapi subdistrict, Huai Khwang district, Bangkok.

Firefighters arriving at the scene found the bus fully ablaze, with explosions heard intermittently as crews battled the flames. It took several minutes for emergency responders to bring the fire under control.

Authorities confirmed that at least eight people were killed at the scene, while several others suffered injuries. Most of the injured were motorists and motorcycle riders travelling through the area at the time of the collision. Rescue workers provided first aid before rushing victims to nearby hospitals.

Earlier reports had placed the death toll at six, with around 10 injuries, but officials later revised the number of fatalities upwards as searches continued inside the burned-out wreckage.

Mr Anan Phonimdaeng, governor of the State Railway of Thailand, said investigators had not yet determined the cause of the accident. He confirmed that the crash involved one freight train, one public bus, two private cars and one motorcycle, with significant property damage reported.

The railway chief said he was travelling to the scene and had ordered the immediate formation of an investigative team to examine the circumstances surrounding the collision in detail.

Caution below video show emergency responders identifying victims in the bus

Tragic. So avoidable too. RIP.

The guy that was supposed to be in control of the barriers is going to have a heck of a hangover.

Video from international media

22 minutes ago, Packer said:

The guy that was supposed to be in control of the barriers is going to have a heck of a hangover.

As maybe will the bus driver for stopping on the tracks when his exit was obviously compromised.

Empathy for the train driver who saw it all but was helpless to do anything.

There's been many incidents at that junction. People routinely block the intersection and continue to cross even as the train is approaching.

Tragic for the bus passengers who had no control over the risks.😥

That bus burst into flames immediately after it was struck! Diesel shouldn't do that.... I wonder if if was converted to run on CNG?

Common sense says that you do not, ever, drive onto the tracks unless your exit is clear. Unfortunately, common sense doesn't exist in Thailand and so people die.

UPDATE

CCTV Shows Bus Trapped Before Bangkok Train Crash

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

Newly released CCTV footage has revealed the moments before a freight train slammed into a Bangkok bus trapped across railway tracks near Makkasan Airport Rail Link station, killing eight people and injuring at least 25 others.

The collision happened on 16 May 2026 near the railway crossing on Asok-Din Daeng Road in Bangkok. The crash involved an air-conditioned Route 206 bus, a freight train, cars and motorcycles, before a fast-moving fire engulfed the bus.

Video recorded by nearby vehicles showed the bus stationary across the railway line amid severe traffic congestion while the train approached the crossing. Witness footage captured the moment of impact, with two passengers reportedly thrown through the front door-side windows and suffering serious injuries.

The footage showed that railway crossing barriers were not lowered at the time of the collision. Authorities have not yet confirmed why the barriers were not in place and investigators are examining the evidence as part of the inquiry.

Officials said the train struck the bus near its CNG tanks, causing them to rupture and the vehicle erupt into flames in seconds. Firefighters battled the blaze, while explosions were heard from the burning wreckage.

Bangkok Mass Transit Authority director Kittikarn Jomduang Jaruwornpolkul said the bus became stranded on the tracks after stopping at a red traffic light during heavy congestion. He described the crash as an unavoidable situation caused by backed-up traffic preventing the bus from moving clear of the crossing.

Authorities confirmed that eight passengers on the bus were killed, while at least 25 people were injured. Damaged vehicles at the scene also included private cars and motorcycles caught near the crossing during the collision.

The BMTA said compensation procedures were already under way for victims and their families. Passengers who died in the crash were covered by accident insurance, with compensation payments of up to 1.5 million baht per person. The BMTA said it would also contribute an additional 30,000 to 50,000 baht per victim, while medical compensation for injured passengers would be assessed according to treatment costs.

Khaosod reported that Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt visited the scene as investigators from police, railway authorities and transport agencies continued examining the crossing system, traffic conditions and emergency response procedures.

Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod16 May 2026

It should be common knowledge to not enter a train crossing if you can't exit it directly. If you are in a traffic jam, you have to wait till you can exit on the other side without being stuck on the crossing.

RIP

Ouch I saw that this morning, RIP.

So many times I have been there....

Grade level crossings built before a city became a mega city can cause problems.

So sad, what a way to go.

Every single light cycle at Makkasan cars and buses stop on the tracks. I have never understood why you don't just stop before the tracks, what is to gain by parking on them? Obviously there was an error with the barriers but even when they work often they can't close them because vehicles are blocking the tracks and the train has to wait for the traffic lights to change. Just so dangerous and I don't understand the mentality.

RIP, a terrible tragedy. Those poor bus passengers who had no say in the matter. :(

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6 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

So sad, what a way to go.

Every single light cycle at Makkasan cars and buses stop on the tracks. I have never understood why you don't just stop before the tracks, what is to gain by parking on them? Obviously there was an error with the barriers but even when they work often they can't close them because vehicles are blocking the tracks and the train has to wait for the traffic lights to change. Just so dangerous and I don't understand the mentality.

RIP, a terrible tragedy. Those poor bus passengers who had no say in the matter. :(

All things being equal, I find Thai driving to be overall pretty poor in terms of road safety. In that intersection with the numbers of motorcyles, it could have been worse.

Somebody committed criminal negligence. It will be interesting to see the results of the investigation.

If this was Japan, the guilty party would commit seppuku. Remember the train crash there?

When did a Thai wait for anything? That's why there's so many " avoidable " accidents in Thailand. I feel very sorry for the deceased and injured but this will go on for ever as Thais never show any judgement when it becomes to a split second decision. I've stopped many times at rail crossings where I considered it safe but most times a Thai driver cut in front of me putting his life in danger,

1 hour ago, Rams86 said:

...Thais never show any judgement when it becomes to a split second decision.

I wonder if that is why, as far as we know, there was no evacuation of the bus when they saw the train coming. Did they just wait there like sitting ducks?

Quite clear, you do not enter a yellow box grid if your exit is not clear. Barriers could not be lowered as traffic was in the way.

From what I understand on live tv interview on scene with witnesses, is that the barrier and bells didn’t function properly. Didn’t come (all the way) down and instead of ding ding ding sounds, there was a thudding sounds like dhud dhud dhud.

Whatever it was, bus driver in the wrong or not regardless of malfunctions, won’t bring back any of the lives lost today.

And agree, that crossing, like many are dangerous af.

In general road safety has not been a priority imo for the past 15 yrs in Thai. Nor is the road responsibility by many of the road (ab)users.

Sad, rip, sorry for the families 😞

8 minutes ago, LennyW said:

Quite clear, you do not enter a yellow box grid if your exit is not clear. Barriers could not be lowered as traffic was in the way.

Even when traffic is in the way and they can't close the barriers the flashing lights and warning bells are still going. You can see here that they weren't activated at all.

1 hour ago, Rams86 said:

When did a Thai wait for anything? That's why there's so many " avoidable " accidents in Thailand. I feel very sorry for the deceased and injured but this will go on for ever as Thais never show any judgement when it becomes to a split second decision. I've stopped many times at rail crossings where I considered it safe but most times a Thai driver cut in front of me putting his life in danger,

I sobered if this might have been part of the reason. The bus had enough room to go across but someone pulled into that space.

While it's wrong and highly risky, I understand why drivers stop on the tracks when the exit isn't clear. I've driven across this junction, and when you leave a safe gap for the railway line, other drivers and hundreds of motorcycles fill the gap, and you never manage to get over the crossing.

So the bus driver was probably 'staking his claim' in the queue to ensure he'd eventually clear the junction.

I used to live in Asoke, and decided it was better to make a long detour rather than try crossing the tracks at this junction.

It also used to be common for the trains to stop before the crossing and wait for the barriers to lower, then wait again while all the motorbikes went around the barriers, then the train would only move when it was clear.

I suspect the barriers could not be lowered as the bus and cars were in the way, but the freight train didn't stop to enable the usual congestion to move out of the way.

Such a tragedy, but avoidable.

Patience is a virtue but rarely seen in Thailand.

RIP to poor victims.

5 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

Empathy for the train driver who saw it all but was helpless to do anything.

Was he supposed to drive along the tracks with the barriers still up?

Do they not have a rule of the barriers must be down for the train to drive through the junction?

They need to get proper traffic lights and proper barriers for all the roads at this huge junction. Get it and the drivers under control.

2 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I wonder if that is why, as far as we know, there was no evacuation of the bus when they saw the train coming. Did they just wait there like sitting ducks?

When the barriers haven't come down, the light on the railway line is usually at red so the train stops. But due to the barriers malfunctioning, I wouldn't be surprised the train's light was green, hence the accident

UPDATE

PM Visits Makkasan Rail Crash Site

9 hours ago, LennyW said:

Quite clear, you do not enter a yellow box grid if your exit is not clear. Barriers could not be lowered as traffic was in the way.

May be clear to you, but in Thailand they don't care !! thais have no Patience nor give way !! another example of Thai road safety

The exact same train track setup is on Ramkhamhaeng station. I used to take these busses out of thrill and to feel "local". I do remember once the bus catching fire, but it was a blue non aircon bus, not the one in the video.

6 hours ago, bannork said:

When the barriers haven't come down, the light on the railway line is usually at red so the train stops. But due to the barriers malfunctioning, I wouldn't be surprised the train's light was green, hence the accident

As far as I am aware no-one has claimed, except commentators on this site and others, that the barriers malfunctioned. They will not come down if something is blocking them. Lights flash, a bell sounds, which warns drivers (in normal countries) that a train is coming and not to enter the tracks. Videos show plenty of cars and people waiting, including motorcyclists who were hit by the bus as it was dragged by the train.

The bus driver went onto the tracks, even though he couldn't exit. And that is plain stupid, whether a train is coming or not. It's like a yellow block - do not enter unless the exit is clear. But such safety measures are only treated as decoration in Thailand, as we all know. According to those who use the crossing every day, it is normal idiotic behaviour. Why go onto the tracks if you can't drive off? Madness. And a train takes a long distance to stop.

Should there have been a red light for the train which only goes green once the barriers are down? Of course. Was there? We haven't been told. But the bottom line is that the bus driver entered the tracks when there was no way to exit and if he survived he would be guilty of unintentional homicide due to his impatience and stupidity.