Video: Train crosses tracks where there is no barrier - loud music on merit makers' bus

[webfact]

Video: Train crosses tracks where there is no barrier - loud music on merit makers' bus

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

Horrific video showed the final moments as a bus carrying around 60 merit makers on the way to a temple in Chachoengsao was hit by a freight train. 

 

At least 18 died and 30 were injured at the crossing where there was no barrier. 

 

 

The driver of the Laem Chabang to Lat Krabang train with 50 containers, Wirawat Worawong, said he saw the bus approach the crossing and pass over.

 

He sounded his whistle and turned on headlights but the bus did not stop and he was unable to brake in time, reported 77kaoded. 

 

He thought that the bus driver - Bunsong Suanyim, 54, who died - had either not heard him or perhaps had brake failure.

 

Picture: INN

 

That seemed unlikely looking at the video footage, notes Thaivisa. 

 

Elsewhere in the Thai TV media it was reported that it was very noisy on the bus with a DJ and loud music as the high spirited merit makers were enjoying their day.

 

Speculation was rife that the bus driver may not have heard the train's frantic whistle. 

 

State Railway of Thailand governor Nirut Maneephan was on the scene and confirmed there was no barrier as that crossing was not registered. 

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

Bunsong's daughter told 77kaoded that her father had left their home in Samut Prakan without explaining exactly what he was doing on Sunday.

 

He was usually involved in driving to and from an industrial estate with workers - this was a special outing. 

 

The first she heard of the accident was online on a "live" event. She travelled with relatives to the scene and found her father lifeless in the wreckage. 

 

Sources: 77kaoded | INN

 

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[LomSak27]

Just now, webfact said:

He thought that the bus driver - Bunsong Suanyim, 54, who died - had either not heard him or perhaps had brake failure.

 

It has become so common an excuse it reflexively gets added - Brake Failure - Nothing to do with this tragedy, but there it is.

[darksidedog]

9 minutes ago, webfact said:

Speculation was rife that the bus driver may not have heard the train's frantic whistle. 

Speculation should be running rife about his eyesight also. How can you not see a train? It's pretty large after all and when crossing train tracks it should at least be a consideration to look to see if it is safe to cross.

[jollyhangmon]

9 minutes ago, webfact said:

State Railway of Thailand governor Nirut Maneephan was on the scene and confirmed there was no barrier as that crossing was not registered. 

 

... huh? What's that supposed to mean, looks fairly legit to me, leveled out and with Stop signs and all ...??

And how many more are 'not registered' ...?! 

 

[Dmaxdan]

10 minutes ago, webfact said:

The first she heard of the accident was online on a "live" event. She travelled with relatives to the scene and found her father lifeless in the wreckage. 

Gone are the days of informing the next of kin before the story is released to the world.  

[pixelaoffy]

No sane person should trust drivers of public road transport of any form in Thailand! Huge numbers of unbalanced irrational irresponsible individuals incharge of your safety . Add to that the lack law enforcement due to corruption. Perfect death ride 

Edited October 12, 2020 by pixelaoffy

[Dannyxyz]

11 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

Speculation should be running rife about his eyesight also. How can you not see a train? It's pretty large after all and when crossing train tracks it should at least be a consideration to look to see if it is safe to cross.

Blame the dark window tints that makes everything look the same color and when you're not paying attention it's hard to notice anything coming from the side of the vehicle. It's crazy how such very dark tints are even allowed in Thailand considering the fact that so many people die in accidents because they couldn't see.

[Misterwhisper]

26 minutes ago, webfact said:

or perhaps had brake failure.

That same old caper. Unbelievable! Every horrific accident in this country seems to be waved off with the excuse "possible brake failure". 

 

Not looking left or right when crossing a railway track = brake failure

Cranking up the radio volume to 700,000 decibels so you cannot hear the warning horn = brake failure

Falling asleep behind the wheel = brake failure

Running red traffic light = brake failure

Overtaking before a hill or on the hard shoulder = brake failure

Dangerously overloading your truck, bus, pick-up, etc. = brake failure

Talking on your phone while steering a vehicle = brake failure

Coat tailing = brake failure

Disregarding each and every traffic law under the sun = brake failure

Being ignorant of your own and others safety while driving = brake failure

Zooming down the highway at 180kph during a torrential downpour = brake failure

etc. etc. etc.

[Somtamnication]

Makes sense to me. Listen to music and close your eyes at train tracks. 

[colinneil]

All this BS about loud music/ dancing on the bus is irrelevant, driver was not concentrating on the road/ train track.

He was driving without due care and attention, driver was 100% to blame nobody else.

The stop sign is BIG enough and clear for all to see, he failed to stop.

[bluesofa]

21 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

Speculation should be running rife about his eyesight also. How can you not see a train? It's pretty large after all and when crossing train tracks it should at least be a consideration to look to see if it is safe to cross.

To me the phrase is more likely to be a lack of 'spacial awareness', as so many drivers here seem to suffer from it.

Very sad that so many people have lost their lives and been injured due to this.

 

[Misterwhisper]

23 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

Speculation should be running rife about his eyesight also. How can you not see a train? It's pretty large after all and when crossing train tracks it should at least be a consideration to look to see if it is safe to cross.

I don't think it has anything to do with poor eyesight, but rather with motorists (and pedestrians!) simply not paying attention when negotiating traffic.

 

Trains in this country are not exactly bullet trains approaching at 300kph, are they? Passenger trains travel at a maximum speed of 70kph, while freight trains are usually considerably slower. If you actually pay attention you can see them coming - and it still takes them a minute or so before they actually reach the actual crossing. But if you're not looking...

[scorecard]

25 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

Speculation should be running rife about his eyesight also. How can you not see a train? It's pretty large after all and when crossing train tracks it should at least be a consideration to look to see if it is safe to cross.

"... at least be a consideration to look to see if it is safe to cross."

 

A very appropriate comment. Years back I travelled in cars/pick ups of up country outer family members (until I decided to make other arrangements), I can tell you, they never ever check anything and that includes when approaching a rail crossing, they never check, it just doesn't happen.  

 

I did a few times carefully say, 'you have to check if any trains coming' etc etc. The response always the same; 'you're too serious' etc. 

 

Same with red lights, just drive straight through. Say something and the response would be 'what for, never much traffic on this road.'

 

Also, a few time accidents did happen and serious injuries/death, luckily I wasn't in the vehicles. The comment 'this is not fair, he/she (driver) has good khama'.

 

Was anything ever learned in terms of road safety/checking? NO.

 

[petermik]

7 hours ago, colinneil said:

All this BS about loud music/ dancing on the bus is irrelevant, driver was not concentrating on the road/ train track.

He was driving without due care and attention, driver was 100% to blame nobody else.

The stop sign is BIG enough and clear for all to see, he failed to stop.

One of the first things I noticed when I first came here was the lack of Thai,s awareness of what was or is around them,they can only see what is directly in front of them and that is it,mirrors are rarely used...they set off in a straight line ignoring anything anyone around them....look to the left no....look to the right no...what is behind them they don,t care about...tunnel vision I believe is the correct term,obviously the bus driver from the video footage did neither slow or stop at the crossing to check if all was clear with terrible consequences...stupid stupid man I,m sorry.....

[Phuketshrew]

21 minutes ago, Misterwhisper said:

55 minutes ago, webfact said:

or perhaps had brake failure.

That same old caper. Unbelievable! Every horrific accident in this country seems to be waved off with the excuse "possible brake failure". 

 

Not looking left or right when crossing a railway track = brake failure

Cranking up the radio volume to 700,000 decibels so you cannot hear the warning horn = brake failure

Falling asleep behind the wheel = brake failure

Running red traffic light = brake failure

Overtaking before a hill or on the hard shoulder = brake failure

Dangerously overloading your truck, bus, pick-up, etc. = brake failure

Talking on your phone while steering a vehicle = brake failure

Coat tailing = brake failure

Disregarding each and every traffic law under the sun = brake failure

Being ignorant of your own and others safety while driving = brake failure

Zooming down the highway at 180kph during a torrential downpour = brake failure

etc. etc. etc.

I think it must get lost in translation. "Bra fai" really means brain failure.

Edited October 12, 2020 by Phuketshrew

[toofarnorth]

13 minutes ago, petermik said:

One of the first things I noticed when I first came here was the lack of Thai,s awareness of what was or is around them,they can only see what is directly in front of them and that is it,mirrors are rarely used...they set off in a straight line ignoring anything anyone around them....look to the left no....look to the right no...what is behind them they don,t care about...tunnel vision I believe is the correct term,obviously the bus driver from the video footage did neither slow or stop at the crossing to check if all was clear with terrible consequences...stupid stupid man I,m sorry.....

You are so right ....tunnel vision . Or blinkered vision.  A horse wears blinkers so things going on either side don't distract it.   Maybe the bus driver was wearing blinkers ....sounds like it.

[connda]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Elsewhere in the Thai TV media it was reported that it was very noisy on the bus with a DJ and loud music as the high spirited merit makers were enjoying their day.

 

Speculation was rife that the bus driver may not have heard the train's frantic whistle. 

Did the "very noisy" blind the driver.  Drivers fault and he paid the full price.  Unfortunately so did the innocent.

[connda]

1 hour ago, darksidedog said:

Speculation should be running rife about his eyesight also. How can you not see a train? It's pretty large after all and when crossing train tracks it should at least be a consideration to look to see if it is safe to cross.

I would hope they run a toxicology report on him in the morgue.

[AbeNormal]

what are the odds the driver had his face buried in a mobile phone, he for sure wasn't looking for a train

 

RIP

[spidermike007]

Whether there is a train crossing warning signal or not, when you are crossing railroad tracks, especially when you are responsible for so many lives, you slow down, look both ways, and then proceed. This was an enormous cargo train, and was easily visible, had this moron driver bothered to look. Now, he has inflicted untold amounts of pain on dozens of families. Public transport here can be very dangerous. 

[Geoffggi]

43 minutes ago, Misterwhisper said:

I don't think it has anything to do with poor eyesight, but rather with motorists (and pedestrians!) simply not paying attention when negotiating traffic.

 

Trains in this country are not exactly bullet trains approaching at 300kph, are they? Passenger trains travel at a maximum speed of 70kph, while freight trains are usually considerably slower. If you actually pay attention you can see them coming - and it still takes them a minute or so before they actually reach the actual crossing. But if you're not looking...

Absolutely correct, and the government still think Thailand is a "World Class" destination - Can't wait for them to get the high speed trains then they can really go for it ...................LOL

[KhunBENQ]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Elsewhere in the Thai TV media it was reported that it was very noisy on the bus with a DJ and loud music as the high spirited merit makers were enjoying their day.

Knew that when I read that the whistle/horn was not heard.

These disco/club buses are an absolute pest and still everywhere (and of course still with illegal height/upper deck glass easy to topple).

 

[kingkenny]

1 hour ago, Misterwhisper said:

That same old caper. Unbelievable! Every horrific accident in this country seems to be waved off with the excuse "possible brake failure". 

 

Not looking left or right when crossing a railway track = brake failure

Cranking up the radio volume to 700,000 decibels so you cannot hear the warning horn = brake failure

Falling asleep behind the wheel = brake failure

Running red traffic light = brake failure

Overtaking before a hill or on the hard shoulder = brake failure

Dangerously overloading your truck, bus, pick-up, etc. = brake failure

Talking on your phone while steering a vehicle = brake failure

Coat tailing = brake failure

Disregarding each and every traffic law under the sun = brake failure

Being ignorant of your own and others safety while driving = brake failure

Zooming down the highway at 180kph during a torrential downpour = brake failure

etc. etc. etc.

Yes.  Brake failure.  There is a massive difference though between brake failure and failing to brake that Thais don't seem to understand.

[Matzzon]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Train crosses tracks where there is no barrier

How can a train cross the tracks? News as it´s best once again.

Horrible accident that could have been avoided with a bus driver that actually cared for his passengers. The question is soon if there is any that actually give a <deleted>.

This time around 20 people died. How long is this going to continue? 

[rgrdns]

It would not surprise me that the driver thought..."train has passed, now is the road clear to drive on".

[Shuya]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

as that crossing was not registered. 

As the picture shows, that level crossing is right inside a railway station. Spanning three tracks. Unsecured. Did it appear from nowhere last night by itself? 

Edited October 12, 2020 by Shuya

[sapson]

Billions to be spent on submarines because that potentially puts millions in the pockets of the generals which is their priority.

 

What would it cost to install automated barriers and warning lights at all railway crossings in Thailand to eradicate this problem? perhaps a hundred million baht, will it happen?...... probably not, so the carnage will continue.

[8OA8]

What a misleading headline "Train crosses tracks where there is no barrier" Surely this should read "Bus crosses tracks where there is no barrier"

[Greenhill]

Shouldn't the headline be - 'The BUS crosses the tracks'???   Asking for a friend!!

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, colinneil said:

All this BS about loud music/ dancing on the bus is irrelevant, driver was not concentrating on the road/ train track.

He was driving without due care and attention, driver was 100% to blame nobody else.

The stop sign is BIG enough and clear for all to see, he failed to stop.

That's the truth, he made a fatal driving error and many paid the price.