Six families of the victims of the May 16 train-bus collision in Thailand have received compensation, as confirmed by Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkaskulkiat. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) have collectively disbursed 2.9 million baht. Additionally, each affected family is set to receive an additional 300,000 baht pending approval from the Rights Protection Fund.
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Charges have been filed against the train driver for negligence and against motorists who obstructed tracks at the accident site. This legal action targets traffic rule violators present during the incident. Compensation for injured survivors has also been initiated, with further payments forthcoming.
The Ministry of Transport, despite not labeling their actions as a formal review, acknowledged longstanding safety issues. Informal shortcuts at rail crossings have been cited as hazardous by Siripong, who pledged immediate remedies. Consultations with the Railway Technology Research and Development Institute are underway to enhance safety measures using funds from premium licence plate sales.
A safety improvement pilot program will commence in Bangkok, aiming to implement warning lights, alerts, and potentially automatic barriers at crossings nationwide. This initiative seeks to minimize human error.
Responding to calls for increased staffing by the State Railway of Thailand Labour Union, Siripong suggested technology could offset the need for more personnel. Previous staffing cuts did not include technological investments, indicating a possible shift in employment strategies to align with budget concerns.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 27 May 2026
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