A worker walk past the wreckage of a train, a day after a construction crane fell into a passenger train Wednesday, in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Tragedy struck in northeastern Thailand on Wednesday as a crane collapse resulted in the deaths of dozens aboard a moving train. This incident highlights a worrying trend of increasing construction accidents in the country over recent years.

Recent incidents paint a grim picture. On March 28, 2025, a 30-storey building in Bangkok crumbled during a 7.7 magnitude quake from central Myanmar, claiming at least 96 lives. This project was led by Italian Thai Development Plc, also involved in the latest rail link mishap. ITD president Premchai Karnasuta faces charges of negligence for the March disaster, with legal proceedings ongoing.

A similar catastrophe occurred on March 15, 2025, when an under-construction bridge on the Rama III–Dao Khanong Expressway project in Bangkok collapsed, killing five and injuring 27. This tragedy spurred the government to introduce a "contractor report card" to better oversee public infrastructure work. However, incidents continue to occur.

On August 24, 2024, heavy rain caused a tunnel collapse in Nakhon Ratchasima, taking three lives during the same railway project now in focus. Additionally, a November 29, 2024, mishap in Samut Sakhon saw six workers lose their lives when a concrete segment and crane collapsed on an elevated motorway construction site.

Looking ahead, authorities face mounting pressure to enhance safety standards across Thailand's construction industry. As past and present investigations proceed, the government aims to bolster its oversight framework to prevent future tragedies, while companies like ITD remain under scrutiny, reported the Bangkok Post.

The wreckage of train is seen, a day after a construction crane fell into a passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Key Takeaways

• A recent crane accident killed dozens on a train in northeastern Thailand.

• Italian Thai Development Plc tied to multiple fatal construction incidents.

• Government aims to improve oversight with new safety measures.

Related Stories:

Construction Crane Collapses on Rama 2, One Dead

Multiple Deaths After Crane Collapses Onto Passenger Train

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2026-01-15

 

 

So the common denominator has been found, stop doing business with them, ASAP!!!

Holy Cow! Another collapse on Rama II .......Shutdown Italia-Thai and fire them!!!!!

2 killed as crane collapses onto 2 vehicles on Rama II Road

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/2-killed-as-crane-collapses-onto-2-vehicles-on-rama-ii-road

Thais do not understand what maintance means !!

Just like Big Brother China.

Rise in Thailand's construction accidents commensurate with an a rise in corruption (already off the charts of course) maybe?

This incident highlights a worrying trend of increasing construction accidents in the country over recent years.

The end result of cost cutting and the use of cheap inexperienced labour, coupled with little or no risk assessments or mandatory safety checks.

Time some construction bosses were jailed or at least held accountable.

Rise ??? 🙄

It's non stop every month in this country !

More than 40 people die a day on the roads. As well as dealing with construction accidents, they should look to reduce the road toll. They should start with enforcing the Normal international driving rules and reduce the death of so many young people. It will take a generation to fix it but they should aspire to be Norse like Singapore or S Korea than Vietnam on the roads.

As long as companies cut corners to enhance profit there will be a risk of more tragedies

I saw it when prosecuting companies in the UK for breaches of safety legislation - and I am sure it will be the same here

So sad for the victims of course

46 minutes ago, Divorce Lifeline said:

As long as companies cut corners to enhance profit there will be a risk of more tragedies

I saw it when prosecuting companies in the UK for breaches of safety legislation - and I am sure it will be the same here

So sad for the victims of course

Yeah, is the same here in Hong Kong. Difference here is I expect many people to be prosecuted and jailed. Links below.

https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hong-kong-news/article/321746/Wang-Fuk-Court-fire-Death-toll-final-at-168-no-further-updates

https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hong-kong-news/article/320148/One-more-arrested-over-deadly-Tai-Po-fire

A bit late perhaps, but the authorities here are cracking down on these type of things. I won't bore people with too many more links but here's one showing the results of inspection on 9 buildings last month - 261 issues reported, many risking fatalities! There are an estimated 1,500 industrial buildings in Hong Kong, and about 41,000 residential buildings. Easy to see the potential scale of risks being taken by building owners here! Extrapolate that to Thailand, and its easy to see the difficulties the authorities face, but also the opportunities to make quick and easy improvements by jailing some building owners and telling all the others that they may be next.

https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hong-kong-news/article/321699/Fire-and-buildings-departments-find-261-violations-in-industrial-building-inspections

Well there are some causes to mention, maintenance, inspections of cranes, wrong placed (not leveled), wrong driver with no understanding and certificate, pressure on driver to lift heavier weights then is allowed.

We all see every day in Thailand the immense overload on trucks, even SUV's or even motorbikes

Im still wondering why not many accidents happen with scaffolds.

You ve seen the guys balancing on bamboo scaffolds?! Amazing.

8 hours ago, xtrnuno41 said:

You ve seen the guys balancing on bamboo scaffolds?! Amazing.

https://indianexpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Hong-Kong-fire.png?resize=1536

Bamboo scaffold in Hong Kong.

Where were the cranes made?

Where were the materials to construct the cranes sourced?

35 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said:

Where were the cranes made?

Where were the materials to construct the cranes sourced?

It does not matter who made the cranes why is this relevent ?? it lack of maintnace, inspection on assebly of crane parts. no oversight, crane operators

Where there is smoke, there is fire. This is sorta the reason the US has OSHA.

49 minutes ago, Base32 said:

Where there is smoke, there is fire. This is sorta the reason the US has OSHA.

so does Thailand

Here are the key details regarding the Thai Safety Department:

• Requirement & Establishment: Employers in specific industries (64 types of businesses) are required to appoint a Safety Department, often requiring at least one manager who has completed specialized training.

• Functions & Duties: The department is responsible for managing workplace safety, conducting risk assessments, implementing environmental health standards (e.g., light, sound, chemicals), and ensuring compliance with labor laws.

• Safety Committee (OSHE): For businesses with 50 or more employees, this department works alongside a mandatory Safety Committee, which consists of representatives from both the employer and employees.

• Legal Consequences: Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to imprisonment for up to one year and/or fines up to THB 400,000.

• Training & Certification: Organizations like "Thai Safety and Training Co., Ltd." provide training for these roles

But does it carry out its Duties !!!!!! think everyone knows !!

would love to see the risk assesment for the collapsed crane on the railway track ??/

6 hours ago, Geoff914 said:

https://indianexpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Hong-Kong-fire.png?resize=1536

Bamboo scaffold in Hong Kong.

I get an access denied message for this link. Bamboo scaffolding was not the cause of the fire, nor was it the reason for its quick spread - the investigation is not yet fully completed but these facts are both widely reported in the media. There are concerns with bamboo scaffolding of course, and some employers specifically ban its usage on their premises. The Airport Authority of Hong Kong is one such. There are strict rules in place for its usage and maintenance. See this link - https://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/os/B/Bamboo.pdf

Search on Google "hong kong bamboo scaffolding" - the AI response gives reasonable pros and cons.

Although not related to bamboo scaffolding, here's what happens when companies so not operate safely in Hong Kong. Similar to what Thailand is talking about now, but of course a day late and a dollar short.

https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hong-kong-news/article/321843/Developer-receives-one-year-bidding-ban-over-improper-construction-practices