Structural Engineers Association President Reveals 10 Warning Signs at Railway-Road Crossings
A deadly train-bus collision at a Bangkok railway crossing has prompted engineers to identify 10 warning signs at Thailand's 2,300 grade-level intersections, many lacking adequate safety barriers and signals.
On May 17, 2026, Prof. Dr. Amorn Pimanmas, president of the Structural Engineers Association of Thailand and a faculty member at Kasetsart University's Faculty of Engineering, disclosed details about a train-bus collision at the Makkasan-Asoke-Din Daeng railway crossing that resulted in eight deaths and numerous injuries.
Prof. Dr. Amorn called for relevant agencies to urgently survey other high-risk crossings and develop concrete solutions. According to his research, Thailand has approximately 2,300 grade-level railway-road intersections nationwide.
Many of these crossings have only warning signs but lack safety barriers, contributing to accidents. Bangkok alone has dozens of similar at-risk crossings.
Risk assessment is conducted using the Traffic Moment (TM) value—a calculation based on vehicle volume multiplied by daily train frequency. Higher TM values indicate greater accident risk. If TM is below 10,000, warning signs are sufficient. If TM exceeds 10,000 but is below 100,000, barriers and signs are required. If TM exceeds 100,000, grade-separated crossings should be constructed.
Prof. Dr. Amorn identified 10 characteristics of high-risk grade-level railway-road crossings:
1. High traffic moment values (TM exceeding tens of thousands) 2. Crossings located on curves in either road or rail 3. Crossings on steep slopes 4. Crossings with oblique angles rather than perpendicular intersections 5. Crossings with construction or obstructions within 1,000 meters 6. Crossings near bridges, tunnels, interchanges, or other access points 7. Obscured or deteriorated traffic signs unsuitable for use 8. Inadequate lighting, particularly at night 9. Incomplete barriers lacking signal lights or warning sounds 10. Absence of stop lines 5 meters before railway tracks
"These crossing points are high-risk areas where the public must exercise caution while driving," Prof. Dr. Amorn stated. "Relevant agencies—including the State Railway of Thailand, the Department of Rail Transport, and the Mass Transit Authority—must urgently survey crossings, develop risk assessments, and strengthen safety standards."
