Brickinfo English
National Police Chief Orders Urgent Traffic Control and Investigation After Tragic Train-Bus Collision Near Makkasan Leaves 8 Dead, 25 Injured
Brickinfo News Agency – A severe collision between a train and a public transit bus near the Makkasan Airport Rail Link station in Bangkok on May 16, 2026, has resulted in 8 fatalities and 25 injuries. National police and transport authorities have launched an immediate emergency response to manage the casualties, clear widespread traffic congestion, and investigate the exact cause of the fatal crash.
The accident occurred when a public bus became trapped on the railway tracks during heavy traffic. Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradech Thumsuthee, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau and Deputy Spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police, stated that the bus was stuck at a red light directly over the crossing due to continuous traffic backups. He described it as an unavoidable situation where the vehicle could not move in time before the oncoming train struck it.
Following the incident, National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kitrat Phanphet issued an urgent directive to Metropolitan Police Bureau Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom. The order mandates the immediate deployment of patrol officers and traffic police to intersections surrounding the crash site. Their primary objective is to manage the severe gridlock and facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles until the area is fully cleared.
Authorities are currently requesting that motorists completely avoid major connecting routes in the vicinity to reduce cumulative traffic. The public is urged to bypass the Ratchada-Rama IX intersection, the Asoke-Petchaburi intersection, and routes beneath the RCA expressway to allow ambulances and rescue teams to reach the scene and transport victims without delay.
In terms of legal proceedings, the police chief has instructed investigators to meticulously gather all evidence, including CCTV footage from the scene and eyewitness testimonies. Forensic and investigative teams will conduct a thorough examination to determine the definitive cause of the collision and ensure legal fairness for all affected parties.
