Bangkok: The Ministry of Transport has mandated the formation of a committee to investigate a crane collapse onto a train, with a report to be submitted within 15 days. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Phiphat Phakdi, issued the order following the accident involving a construction crane in the Thailand-China High-Speed Rail Project, Phase 1, Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima section.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn has instructed the Ministry to investigate the implementation of safety standards in construction work and determine the facts and causes of the incident. The accident occurred on January 14, 2026, impacting construction works between Lam Ta Khong-Sikhiu and Kut Chik-Kok Kruat. The committee has been tasked with reporting its findings within 15 days.
Mr. Anan Pothinimdaeng, Deputy Governor and Acting Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), reported the incident to the SRT Board of Directors. The Prime Minister instructed the board to consider a compensation plan for those affected. Compensation of 1,340,000 baht per deceased person will be provided by the SRT and the contracting company. Injured individuals will have their medical expenses covered until recovery. Claims for other damages must be submitted to the SRT for consideration. Measures will be established to prevent future incidents, and the Central Committee for SRT Incident Investigation will conduct a parallel investigation.
Mr. Anan emphasized that standard railway construction practices require contractors to halt construction work when a train passes through an active site. This ensures passenger safety and mandates strict compliance with guidelines. Investigations will identify any deficiencies in the construction process, equipment, or personnel.
The SRT has completed moving damaged train carriages and the contractor is preparing to remove damaged launchers. Repairs are expected to take seven days. The SRT will expedite inspections and install additional safety systems like sensors and CCTV cameras to enhance safety and public confidence.
In legal terms, the SRT has filed criminal charges related to fatalities and civil proceedings for property damage and harm to the organization's image. Liability details will be based on the investigation's findings.