Six charged over Makkasan train-bus crash that killed eight

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

And how about the officials that let the train go while in fact it was not allowed? And those who knew it is a problem crossing, and haven't done something about it for years? But they are probably friends or have money so the common people will pay while the rest will lean back..

Itrespective of all that you have posted, the fault lies squarely on the bus driver, he drove into and stopped across the railtracks, his actions weren't a fault of the train driver, the guy supposedly controlling the crossing or the others stopped on railtracks -- entirely an action of the bus driver.

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The train driver, identified as Sayomphon, has been charged with negligence causing death, serious injury and bodily injury. He is also charged with illegally with illegally possession of a category 1 narcotic, methamphetamine.

I thought an earlier report from police stated the train driver was cleared of drugs in his system?

well, i can imagine the bus driver not wanting to stop behind the yellow lines because car after car and motorbike after motorbike would keep getting in front of him.

I also assume the train driver was exceeding the speed limit for that area, although I have idea if he was ever instructed about that, or if there even are any formal rules.

Here in Tucson Arizona the other day, sure enough several cars went past the yellow lines and were caught on the train tracks and there is no way they could have gotten out as traffic behind them was bumper to bumper. No train came by but I have seen the freight trains go through that area and they are not going only 5 miles per hour

33 minutes ago, Artisi said:

Itrespective of all that you have posted, the fault lies squarely on the bus driver, he drove into and stopped across the railtracks, his actions weren't a fault of the train driver, the guy supposedly controlling the crossing or the others stopped on railtracks -- entirely an action of the bus driver.

I agree that there are many people at fault. But as someone who drives regulalry in central Bangkok, I've found myself on the tracks in heavy traffic with no ability to get off them. In my case, if I know the tracks are ahead (and I usually do) I prepare for that, but the heavy traffic is deceiving and makes it hard to judge if the car in front of me is going to clear the tracks with room to spare (for my car). Sometimes it seems there will room - and then there isn't and you're stuck. It sounds like a no-brainer to stop and wait to see if the car ahead won't leave enough room. But it's not as easy as it sounds. With a green light ahead, cars are routinely blocking the tracks as they prepare to proceed.

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

And those who knew it is a problem crossing, and haven't done something about it for years?

It is common in Thailand , nothing happens until there are deaths.

A yellow‑box crossing in Bangkok is basically a behavioural stress test, and this case shows it in full colour.

Prosecuting the bus driver, the train crew and the three riders boxed in on the hatch marks will look decisive on paper, but anyone who has sat in a No. 8 or No. 77 knows the real problem: chronic gridlock, zero lane discipline, and drivers who treat rail crossings as just another choke point to squeeze through.

45 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

I agree that there are many people at fault. But as someone who drives regulalry in central Bangkok, I've found myself on the tracks in heavy traffic with no ability to get off them. In my case, if I know the tracks are ahead (and I usually do) I prepare for that, but the heavy traffic is deceiving and makes it hard to judge if the car in front of me is going to clear the tracks with room to spare (for my car). Sometimes it seems there will room - and then there isn't and you're stuck. It sounds like a no-brainer to stop and wait to see if the car ahead won't leave enough room. But it's not as easy as it sounds. With a green light ahead, cars are routinely blocking the tracks as they prepare to proceed.

indeed and try to give space, other cars or vehicles will take it as soon as they see their is some space.. Even on the roads it is almost impossible to keep distance.. It seems that everybody is afraid of waiting 1 minute and nobody cares or gives space. Even in traffic jams they use the emergency lanes to skip the line, but they don't realize that in fact they are creating more problems.. So I am convinced that the Government is to blame too, as they don't have a decent institution to educate drivers and another to enforce the laws..

35 minutes ago, NE1 said:

It is common in Thailand , nothing happens until there are deaths.

Totally agree there is not a major city I have been to in LOS that has a main rail crossing where people adhere to the rules but it is a double edged sword once people do adhere to them someone will just cut around them to save 10 seconds (they cant help it) and then the whole problem starts again in the middle unfortunately it is a cultural thing that will only be sorted out with physical barriers or proper enforcement like the west and the cost and effort of implementing that won't be while I am still walking this earth! If it is true the train driver was on meth at the time then irrelevant or not if he was at fault or not he deserves what he has coming to him (assuming that is definitely confirmed now he has been charged) same for the bus driver anyone with the responsibility of passengers should be adhering to the laws whatever the inconvenience. RIP to those that lost their lives - a total tragedy all around.

56 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

So I am convinced that the Government is to blame too, as they don't have a decent institution to educate drivers and another to enforce the laws..

Agree with your post 100%. However on the line above I disagree a little bit. The government (Land Transport Department) has a pretty decent system in place. You must watch a 2 hour video that is interactive and makes you answer questions every 15 minutes to continue. Once you successfully complete/pass that test (sent to your email), you take that along to the LTD along with your health certificate and Certificate of Residency and at the LTD you also do a colour-blind and reaction time test.

Thailand also has lots of traffic laws (helmets, changing lanes, speeding, illegal turning), but as you know rarely enforced. The police check stops we encounter are usually for expired tax decals and other things they can extort money from you. Has anyone ever seen the police chase a speeder? I've been driving here for 25 years and I've never seen that - but I've sure been cut up, cut off, tail-gated, more times than I can count. One of the worst highways' fatality rates in the world.

So yes, Thailand has lots of good laws, but like you say, poor to non existent enforcement.

2 hours ago, Artisi said:

the fault lies squarely on the bus driver, he drove into and stopped across the railtracks, his actions weren't a fault of the train driver, the guy supposedly controlling the crossing or the others stopped on railtracks

Really? And how do you know that, have you been party to the investigation?

22 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Really? And how do you know that, have you been party to the investigation?

Are you for real, where was the bus stopped at the time, was it waiting before the rail crossing or was it stopped across the tracks with traffic ahead and unable to proceed further.

Pleased I don't have to travel anywhere with you as the driver.

38 minutes ago, Artisi said:

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Really? And how do you know that, have you been party to the investigation?

Are you for real, where was the bus stopped at the time, was it waiting before the rail crossing or was it stopped across the tracks with traffic ahead and unable to proceed further

Are you for real? Were you also part of the investigation team that concluded exactly who was the blame and who should be charged with what?