Train Mechanic Gives Statement to Police; Investigators Probe Circumstances Before Bus Collision
A train mechanic gave a statement to police investigating a May 18 collision between a train and bus near Bangkok's Makkasan station, as authorities probe the driver's absence from the control room and his confirmed drug use before the cras
At 3 p.m. on May 18, 2025, a train mechanic or assistant driver from the train involved in a collision with a bus near Asok-Din Daeng Road, close to the Makkasan Airport Rail Link station, reported to investigators at Makkasan Police Station. Wearing a hat and mask, the mechanic entered the investigation room without answering questions, accompanied by what appeared to be a State Railway of Thailand official. Previous reports indicated the mechanic had already provided information to the State Railway of Thailand during their investigation.
Police are focusing their questioning on establishing facts from the day of the incident: the mechanic's location at the time, his specific job duties and activities prior to the crash, whether the train driver was genuinely absent from the control room and where he was, based on CCTV footage, and other relevant details.
The State Railway of Thailand confirmed the train driver tested positive for both amphetamine and cannabis, with further investigation of the mechanic planned. The black box results have been reviewed, with the driver admitting to regular drug use of multiple tablets at a time, his last use being ten days before the incident.
An additional troubling detail emerged when police reviewed CCTV footage and found no evidence of the driver sitting in the control room before the collision.
