Transport Minister Phiphat

Thailand's Transport Ministry plans to include travel insurance in train ticket fares, aiming to provide automatic passenger coverage in accidents. This follows the fatal Nakhon Ratchasima crash, which resulted in 30 fatalities. Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced that they could implement the initiative by April, in time for the Songkran festival.

The proposed directive would require rail operators to insure passengers, offering clear compensation entitlements. The move comes after the tragic incident on 14 January, when construction equipment fell on a Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani train. An investigation is ongoing into the accident that resulted in 30 deaths and 69 injuries.

Minister Phiphat stressed quick compensation payments for victims, highlighting urgency in the aftermath of the tragedy. A meeting he chaired focused on expediting payouts, directing the Office of Insurance Commission and Dhipaya Insurance to accelerate compensation under the existing Contractors’ All Risks policy.

Experts suggest that mandatory insurance could boost passenger confidence in train travel safety. Such a measure will also place financial responsibility firmly within the rail operators' purview. Phiphat’s initiative reflects an effort to reassure the public following safety concerns raised by the January crash.

As the investigation progresses, authorities aim to implement insurance bundling by April. The Nation reported that the ministry's clear directives could enhance the financial protection of passengers during train journeys, thereby promoting a safer travel environment.

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

• The Thai government considers adding insurance to train fares after a fatal accident.

• The Nakhon Ratchasima crash claimed 30 lives, leading to the implementation of new safety measures.

• By April, the government may mandate insurance bundling to coincide with Songkran travel.

Related Story:

Multiple Deaths After Crane Collapses Onto Passenger Train

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2026-01-20

 

 

You see the deformation in that right hand rail. How much force would you need to apply to a rail to produce that much deformation.

On 1/20/2026 at 8:16 AM, webfact said:

Experts suggest that mandatory insurance could boost passenger confidence in train travel safety.

Um, well to me it suggests an expectation that safety will not improve.

Any insurance cost should be applied to the operators, not the passengers. Otherwise there is no incentive for them to increase safety. The increase in fares should be zero or minimal as the risk of an incident is very low.

Thai logic.

Penalise the passengers not the company.

Same logic applied when they banned passengers from drinking alcohol on trains and stations after a member of staff r*ped and killed a young girl, whilst under the influence of drugs and alcohol in 2014.

A ban that is still in force to this day.

4 minutes ago, Classic Ray said:

Any insurance cost should be applied to the operators, not the passengers. Otherwise there is no incentive for them to increase safety. The increase in fares should be zero or minimal as the risk of an incident is very low.

Couldn't agree more. However, a scheme of that nature would mean a lot less going into the pockets of the spivs driving the rackets.

The State Railways of Thailand have been an endless money pit with very antiquated operational behaviours. Given the tragic accident recently it remains a fact though, that this antiquated modus operandi make this relict a rather safe way of traveling when compared to alternatives on the road.

The railways should be insured for such incidents and include the (marginal) surcharge onto their ticket pricing. It might sound strange but the neighbours like Myanmar have had this for decades ........ They acted while Thailand, oncemore again, seems to React only. Your call!

On 1/20/2026 at 1:16 AM, webfact said:

Experts suggest that mandatory insurance could boost passenger confidence in train travel safety.

Experts?

To me the opposite seems true and that the need for insurance suggests that train travel is not safe!

53 minutes ago, Homburg said:

Experts?

To me the opposite seems true and that the need for insurance suggests that train travel is not safe!

Do you have insurance on your car? If yes, does that suggest it would not be safe to travel with you? Or do you have it because something beyond your control, like a crane falling on you, could happen?

They are talking of a war room. Is the like of this why they have lost direction, do not clean up the tycoon construction companies put the onus on the train pax.

Why not ensure that these construction companies have adequate compensation policies and are held responsible for unsafe practices.

2 hours ago, Classic Ray said:

Any insurance cost should be applied to the operators, not the passengers. Otherwise there is no incentive for them to increase safety. The increase in fares should be zero or minimal as the risk of an incident is very low.

Exactly so.

Since the caretaker PM just doled out over 1 million baht to each of the victim's families, they need some way of funding it without dipping into the cesspools of the SRT and ITD.

1 hour ago, alanrchase said:

Do you have insurance on your car? If yes, does that suggest it would not be safe to travel with you? Or do you have it because something beyond your control, like a crane falling on you, could happen?

The issue lies with the local's questioning of why pay for something that may never happen? It's cultural.

As recently as 35 years ago, car insurance was totally optional here and the police were the arbiters on any related conflicts. When the Japanese saw a future in assembling cars in Thailand, along with other trading nations, they were involved with pressuring the Thai government of the time to instigate some form of compulsory car insurance. The Japanese manufacturers didn't want to be seen as fueling road accident injury and mortality rates by making cars that would be available to the local market. Of course it greatly impacted an RTP revenue stream but that was just another benefit.

Rail Passengers May Soon See Travel Insurance Added to Fares v

Wow that's an money grabbing scam .

There are not many rail way accidents and the railways have to pay for them I presume .

Now with the insurance that the passengers have to pay they can put that aside so the passengers in the end pay for the railway accidents . Fair? I don't think so.

Why not make the railways get an insurance to cover everything.

4 hours ago, Geoff914 said:

You see the deformation in that right hand rail. How much force would you need to apply to a rail to produce that much deformation.

Enough to stay off of trains or anything else that travels under something that's under construction

Surely it's the responsibility of the people that maintain the railway & moreso the people building above it - Rama II been built for years way overdue & way over budget - with many deaths not just the workers

But nothing to see here so we'll increase the fair

What Muppets 🙈🐸

They create the mistakes and safety issues and we pay the extra price

7 hours ago, mfd101 said:

Um, well to me it suggests an expectation that safety will not improve.

To me it suggests an understanding and awareness that the victims of such events need more adequate compensation.

Even hi-tech countries with evolved transportation systems have sometimes terrible accidents. Screws shear, tools get forgotten in engines or junction points. 40 dead and dozens injured in Spain recently.

I've been wondering about the chances of that thing falling on that Thai train (one I'm sure many or even most of us have travelled on at some time) at just the moment it was passing. Seems like one in a million. But then maybe the vibrations as the train approached set it off.

Anyway, have to wait for the report obviously.

7 hours ago, Sydebolle said:

The State Railways of Thailand have been an endless money pit with very antiquated operational behaviours. Given the tragic accident recently it remains a fact though, that this antiquated modus operandi make this relict a rather safe way of traveling when compared to alternatives on the road.

The railways should be insured for such incidents and include the (marginal) surcharge onto their ticket pricing. It might sound strange but the neighbours like Myanmar have had this for decades ........ They acted while Thailand, oncemore again, seems to React only. Your call!

Well what a pleasant surprise when I discovered your post. I was issued a similar ticket when I also travelled from Mandalay to Hsipaw in 2017 (pre Junta). I've often wondered why Myanma Railways included Life Insurance - perhaps for crossing the famous Gokteik Viaduct at a snail pace!

It was 335ft (102 metres) tall but now sadly destroyed by the Burmese Junta with bombs from fighter jets.

My photo.

7 hours ago, Sydebolle said:

7 hours ago, Sydebolle said:

The State Railways of Thailand have been an endless money pit with very antiquated operational behaviours. Given the tragic accident recently it remains a fact though, that this antiquated modus operandi make this relict a rather safe way of traveling when compared to alternatives on the road.

The railways should be insured for such incidents and include the (marginal) surcharge onto their ticket pricing. It might sound strange but the neighbours like Myanmar have had this for decades ........ They acted while Thailand, oncemore again, seems to React only. Your call!

So, the Thai Government feels you should have travel insurance to travel via rail but no insurance at all required to rent a motorbike. That implies public transportation is more dangerous than renting a motorbike. I'll be sure to add trains along with busses to things never to step foot on in Thailand.

A nice little earner come divi up time.

Why don’t the rail companies already have insurance cover for such eventualities?

On 1/20/2026 at 8:16 AM, webfact said:

Thailand's Transport Ministry plans to include travel insurance in train ticket fares, aiming to provide automatic passenger coverage in accidents. This follows the fatal Nakhon Ratchasima crash, which resulted in 30 fatalities. Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced that they could implement the initiative by April, in time for the Songkran festival.

Nothing like adding accident insurance to train fares to make me wanna ride on a Thai train.

They're safe. Honest! Unless their not, and look - we forced you to buy travel insurance.

What the state should do is to take out insurance to cover their own butts when accidents happen.

16 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

Well what a pleasant surprise when I discovered your post. I was issued a similar ticket when I also travelled from Mandalay to Hsipaw in 2017 (pre Junta). I've often wondered why Myanma Railways included Life Insurance - perhaps for crossing the famous Gokteik Viaduct at a snail pace!

It was 335ft (102 metres) tall but now sadly destroyed by the Burmese Junta with bombs from fighter jets.

My photo.

The Gokteik Viaduct is not completely destroyed, the trestle has taken a (junta invoked) hit, can and will be prepared. The damage was to discredit the various freedom fighters - nothing new there either - unfortunately.
If you want to take a virtual trip across this most magnificent witness of public work construction, which opened 125 years ago to the public, then you can visit the following two clips which I uploaded some time ago. Not professional videos but it will revive memories for sure ;-)

Mandalay-Lashio Express 131; Goktheik Viaduct: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW6hI0Wg2Dw
Lashio-Mandalay Express 132; Goktheik Viaduct: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLauO7nPNKE

22 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

The Gokteik Viaduct is not completely destroyed, the trestle has taken a (junta invoked) hit, can and will be prepared. The damage was to discredit the various freedom fighters - nothing new there either - unfortunately.
If you want to take a virtual trip across this most magnificent witness of public work construction, which opened 125 years ago to the public, then you can visit the following two clips which I uploaded some time ago. Not professional videos but it will revive memories for sure ;-)

Mandalay-Lashio Express 131; Goktheik Viaduct: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW6hI0Wg2Dw
Lashio-Mandalay Express 132; Goktheik Viaduct: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLauO7nPNKE

Thanks very much for the videos - happy memories for me. Glad to know the Junta damage can be repaired so that other tourists can enjoy when democracy returns.