Picture courtesy of NBT

 

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has closed 112 unauthorised railway crossings across the country as part of an ongoing campaign to improve rail safety and prevent accidents.

 

Mr. Veerish Amrapal, Governor of the SRT, announced that efforts to eliminate so-called “illegal crossings” , which pose a significant safety risk, are progressing steadily. A total of 793 unauthorised crossings have been identified nationwide across 43 provinces. So far, 112 of these have been closed and 63 have been fully restored to their original track condition.

 

In the 2024 fiscal year, 105 crossings were shut down, with 7 more completed in 2025.

 

The breakdown of the 112 closures is as follows:

 

• Central region: 80 crossings in 8 provinces — Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Ratchaburi, and Samut Sakhon.

 

• Northern region: 9 crossings in Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, and Sukhothai.

 

• Northeastern region: 8 crossings in Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Lopburi, Si Sa Ket, and Saraburi.

 

• Southern region: 15 crossings in Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phatthalung, and Surat Thani.

 

The remaining 681 unauthorised crossings are currently under review by provincial and district-level screening subcommittees.

 

The SRT has set an ambitious goal of reducing accidents at railway crossings to zero. A key part of this strategy involves raising public awareness about the dangers of using unauthorised routes and encouraging use of only official crossings, which are equipped with standardised barriers and warning systems.

 

“We appeal to all citizens to avoid unauthorised crossings and instead use designated points that are properly monitored and controlled,” Mr. Veerish said. “It’s a matter of safeguarding your own life and property.”

 

The SRT’s campaign comes amid ongoing efforts to modernise and expand the railway infrastructure, where safety remains a top priority.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from NBT 2025-06-22

 

 

All of which were reopened within 10 minutes of closure 50 metres further along the track 

If you close them , people have to take long detours.

Better take your chances.

Only the deaf can't hear an oncoming train.

And what will happen to the more than 1 million other illegal railway crossings?

On 6/22/2025 at 5:01 AM, Georgealbert said:

and encouraging use of only official crossings, which are equipped with standardised barriers and warning systems.

Which in my neck of the woods are largely ignored until the train is within sight, so many people dodge around or even under the barriers when they are down.

 

Should be ongoing SOP for train conductors to record such crossings so that they can be closed and not just a once in a blue moon initiative.  

On 6/22/2025 at 5:01 AM, Georgealbert said:

as part of an ongoing campaign to improve rail safety

 Will SRT commence building crossings at stations where passenger safety could be compromised?

 

Picture taken of passengers alighting at Ayutthaya Railway Station.

 

 

16 hours ago, BerndD said:

And what will happen to the more than 1 million other illegal railway crossings?

A matter of time, perhaps a few centuries.

1 hour ago, Bohemianfish said:

A matter of time, perhaps a few centuries.

 

Within a week those barriers and trenches will have been bypassed and another crossing will exist right next to the previous one what was 'barrierred off'... 

How many accidents are actually happening at this rouge crossings.?