Latest train and highway accidents in Thailand raise again the issue of transportation safety in the country

Thailand’s transportation safety record has come again under intense scrutiny following a deadly train accident on January 14, one of the country’s worst rail disasters in years.

On January 15, a crane also collapsed on a highway in Bangkok killing 2 motorists.

The two accidents are unfortunately not isolated as a string of other recent incidents involving railways, roads, and major construction projects are regularly reported. They all ask the question if safety is seriously taken into consideration in construction projects and in transportation. Corruption seems to be -as usual- the main issue to all these tragedies.

The rail accident on January 14, 2026 occurred 240 km away from Bangkok in Nakhon Ratchasima province. A large construction crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train, causing multiple carriages to derail and catch fire. The train, operating a long-distance service from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani, was passing beneath a construction site linked to the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project at the time of the collapse.

At least 32 people were killed, over 60 were injured, while several passengers were trapped amid twisted metal and flames. Emergency crews worked for hours to extinguish the fire and rescue survivors. Authorities later confirmed that the crane was part of ongoing infrastructure works carried out near an active rail line. It is raising urgent questions about safety coordination between construction crews and train operations.

One of the worst rail accidents in years in Thailand

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) suspended construction along the affected section and rerouted rail services. The government ordered a full investigation into contractor oversight, safety protocols, and whether work should have been halted as the train passed. Public anger has grown over whether existing safety regulations were enforced, particularly given the scale and visibility of the project.

As if it was not enough, one day later, another crane collapsed – this time on Rama II Road, a major highway south of Bangkok. It killed motorists and reinforces concerns over construction safety near live transport corridors. In recent years, Thailand has also seen fatal accidents linked to expressway construction, tunnel collapses, and infrastructure failures tied to rapid urban expansion.

Beyond construction risks, Thailand’s rail system itself has faced recurring safety challenges. These include collisions at unauthorized level crossings, equipment malfunctions on newly opened urban monorail lines in Bangkok, and long-standing issues with signaling and maintenance on parts of the national rail network. While rail travel remains statistically safer than road transport, incidents like the January 14 crash have shaken public confidence.

Road safety remains another critical concern. Thailand continues to rank among the countries with the highest road fatality rates globally, with deadly crashes involving buses, trucks, and private vehicles occurring regularly, particularly during holiday travel periods. A fatal school bus fire in 2024 and repeated highway accidents have highlighted weaknesses in vehicle standards and enforcement.

Together, these incidents point to systemic problems: rapid infrastructure development outpacing safety oversight, inconsistent enforcement of regulations, and a tendency for reforms to follow tragedy rather than prevent it.

Thailand government has promised nationwide safety reviews and stricter contractor accountability, but many observers say meaningful change will depend on sustained enforcement, not temporary crackdowns. Such as operational and maintenance on regular services to avoid locomotive collisions or equipment failures.

Taken together, the accidents cast a long shadow over Thailand’s tourism appeal, feeding concerns that safety remains a persistent weakness.

List of recent accidents involving construction sites and transports

• On December 6, 2025, a locomotive collided with a stationary passenger train at Wang Yen station in Kanchanaburi province, injuring 18 people, including several foreign tourists. The collision occurred during a routine locomotive change, when the shunter unexpectedly reversed into the passenger carriages.

• On March 28, 2025, an under-construction skyscraper in Bangkok collapsed after a powerful earthquake struck nearby, resulting in 95 confirmed deaths at the site. Investigation showed the use of sub-standard construction material and a lose implementation of safety regulations.

• On March 15, 2025, Rama III–Dao Khanong Expressway segment collapsed onto Rama II Road, killing 7 people.

• On August 24/25, 2024, a train tunnel collapse on the future high-speed rail line in Nakhon Ratchasima province, burying workers and trapping equipment underground.

• On January 2, 2024, an accident of the Monorail Yellow Line was due to equipment failure when a wheel of a train got detached and hit a taxi. No injuries were reported.