Train-Truck Collision in Prachin Buri: SRT Confirms Safety Measures Were Active

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of ทีมพีอาร์การรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย Facebook

 

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has clarified details surrounding the recent collision between a train and a truck, which occurred at a railway crossing between Kabin Buri and Nong Sang stations in Prachin Buri province on March 8. Contrary to initial reports suggesting a lack of safety measures, the SRT confirmed that all warning signals and barriers were operational during the incident.

 

SRT Governor Weerit Amrapal stated that an investigation showed the crossing at kilometre marker 163/1-2 was equipped with an automatic half-barrier. At the time of the accident, the lights and audible alerts were functioning correctly, and the barrier was down to prevent road traffic from crossing.

 

However, the collision occurred when a 10-wheeler truck ignored these signals. Despite the train slowing down as required upon approaching a crossing, the truck driver manoeuvred around the barrier in a zigzag pattern, leading to the crash.

 

 

Governor Weerit highlighted the ongoing importance of strictly adhering to traffic laws at railway crossings, as stipulated in Section 62 of the Land Traffic Act of 1979. This law mandates drivers to slow down and stop at least 5 metres from the tracks when crossing signals or barriers are active.

 

The SRT is committed to pursuing legal action against traffic law violators who compromise safety and cause damage to railway property, underscoring the necessity for all road users to follow established safety protocols, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-03-11

 

 

[lordgrinz]

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Governor Weerit highlighted the ongoing importance of strictly adhering to traffic laws at railway crossings, as stipulated in Section 62 of the Land Traffic Act of 1979. This law mandates drivers to slow down and stop at least 5 metres from the tracks when crossing signals or barriers are active.

 

I would guess that less than 1% of Thais have any idea what the traffic laws and rules are on Thai roads, and even when they do know, they couldn't care less.

[Muhendis]

10 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

I would guess that less than 1% of Thais have any idea what the traffic laws and rules are on Thai roads, and even when they do know, they couldn't care less.

All road traffic laws are considered to be advisory by many Thai motorists.

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

However, the collision occurred when a 10-wheeler truck ignored these signals. Despite the train slowing down as required upon approaching a crossing, the truck driver manoeuvred around the barrier in a zigzag pattern, leading to the crash.

See it daily in my neck of the woods, a train is approaching, the lights are flashing and barriers are down, yet people still try to squeeze around the barrier to cross before the train arrives.

Idiots

[JAG]

I used to drive trains on one of the UKs "preserved" railways. It had a number of level crossings protected by lights and bells. As the train approached, at a reduced speed ( line speed was 25mph but crossings were, as I recall, 10mph), if the crossing was working the driver received a flashing white light signal. If that failed then the train stopped, and the fireman or guard got down and flagged the train across.

 

Despite the lights, very loud bells and a very large locomotive with a very loud whistle, idiots frequently ignored lights and bells and drove in front of trains.

 

People can be, and often behind the wheel are, incredibly stupid.

[scorecard]

12 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

I would guess that less than 1% of Thais have any idea what the traffic laws and rules are on Thai roads, and even when they do know, they couldn't care less.

Example: My Thai son went to a driving school in Bkk to check their rates etc.

Son asked 'does the course include teaching me the 'rules of the road?'

 

Response from driving school owner ' there is no such thing in Thailand so how can I teach that? '

 

Son knew well there are Thai traffic laws/ codes / regulations etc., he had a multi page booklet published by the Land Transport office. 

 

Son showed the booklet to the driving school owner who got angry and insisted the booklet was fake and was not issued in Thailand. Son highlighted the Land Transport Office logo and started to call the 4 digit quick call code.

 

Driving school owners thug son appeared and indicated 'disappear now or I will rearrange your face.'

 

Son disappeared, came home and did mor google search for driving schools in bkk. He found many, called and asked about the 'rules of the road' being included, found a school and started lessons the next day. School covered everything including appointment for driving test. Son passed.

[lordgrinz]

48 minutes ago, scorecard said:

he had a multi page booklet published by the Land Transport office

 

Where did he get it? I've never seen one, but I do have a copy of the Traffic Act, and the new changes (amendments).

[scorecard]

31 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Where did he get it? I've never seen one, but I do have a copy of the Traffic Act, and the new changes (amendments).

 

Son bought this well prepared booklet (prepared in colour by the Land Transport office, Bkk in Thai and in English) at a See-Ed bookshop but this was 15+ years ago.

 

At that time my son was still at uni. One of his very respected professors noticed the booklet and borrowed it from my son to have enough copies made in colour for all students in son's uni year. 

 

It includes many subjects , discusses many traffic scenarios, who must stop / who can proceed etc. 

 

Also lists danger situations and how drivers should respond etc.

 

It also includes many pages of pictures of road traffic signs and explanation of what they mean and explains what drivers must do / cannot do etc., when they see such signs. And their importance for safety.

 

 

[lordgrinz]

11 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

Son bought this well prepared booklet (prepared in colour by the Land Transport office, Bkk in Thai and in English) at a See-Ed bookshop but this was 15+ years ago.

 

At that time my son was still at uni. One of his very respected professors noticed the booklet and borrowed it from my son to have enough copies made in colour for all students in son's uni year. 

 

It includes many subjects , discusses many traffic scenarios, who must stop / who can proceed etc. 

 

Also lists danger situations and how drivers should respond etc.

 

It also includes many pages of pictures of road traffic signs and explanation of what they mean and explains what drivers must do / cannot do etc., when they see such signs. And their importance for safety.

 

 

 

Well if you ever get your hands on it, post up a few pictures of the front cover, back cover, and copyright/publisher pages.

[Robin]

When I applied for my Thai /driving licence, I was shown a copy of this book.  Very similar to UK "Highway Code" and in Thai, English and, I think, Mandarin and Arabic.  There ws also a multi choice answer questionnaire on the Highway Code, but Phayao could not find the English version, so i was tested verbally by the instructor.  Everyone was tested, as part of licence application, before the practical test.

Note; this ws a separate course run by DLT for all licence applications.  Nothing to do with driving schools.

IMHO far more rigorous that UK driving licence test.  Probably now missed out as too difficult for Thai drivers.  I noted hat many applicants could not cope with Multi choice answer exam.

[cowellandrew]

I've had the experience of a few of these,

My next door neighbor is a thai Train driver I would often go with him in the cab a passenger service up to namtok or down to kanchanaburi,

Once on a Friday afternoon heading to kan and the red kangaroo, I was riding up front in the cab as we approached a road junction at wang sing a car approaching the train crossing, as we hit the car there was bit of a crash, we hit the car before the front wind screen pillar and smashed it around 90 degrees,

The 3 in car luckily only sustained superficial injuries,

The car with sound system on full blast, dark tint on all windows,

As I climbed down from the cab the 70 or so passengers and got out of the train carriages, and then it was rumoured I was driving the train, the train driver filled a form of the incident, and we carried on our way to Kan and the red kangaroo sadly no longer there!