Police: Both Train and Bus Drivers Were Negligent; Charged with Reckless Driving Causing Death
Both train and bus drivers have been charged with reckless driving causing death after their vehicles collided at a Bangkok railway crossing on May 16, killing eight people and injuring 32 others.
Police have determined that both the train driver and bus driver were negligent in a collision that left 8 people dead and 32 injured. At 8:30 p.m. on May 16, 2025, Deputy National Police Chief Siam Bunyasorn ordered Mukkaasan Police Station to investigate the train-bus collision with the high death toll on the Airport Link Makkasan railway crossing at Asok-Din Daeng Road, Bangkapi Sub-district, Huai Khwang District, Bangkok.
Investigators found the accident involved freight train No. 4531, originating from Laem Chabang and heading to Bang Sue, driven by Sayamporn Suankul, 46, and public bus No. 206 driven by Laphis Thongbun, 56. CCTV footage revealed that Laphis was driving the bus along Asok-Din Daeng Road from Rama IX intersection toward Petchburi-Asokan intersection in lane one of four lanes when he encountered the railway crossing. As the bus straddled the tracks, the train approached from the left and struck the left side of the bus, causing it to careen into parked vehicles nearby.
The collision caused property damage, injured 32 people, and killed 8 others. Investigators concluded both drivers were negligent and initially charged them both with reckless driving resulting in death. They were taken into custody at Makkasan Police Station for legal proceedings.
