Bangkok: The House Committee on Transportation has urged for prompt compensation for victims of the train-bus collision that occurred in Asoke, highlighting that the accident was a result of systemic defects.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Suphanat Meenchainan, Chairman of the Transportation Committee, announced during a press conference that efforts are being expedited to provide compensation to the victims. The compensation amount is set at 2,390,000 baht per person, with contributions from insurance companies and related entities amounting to 1,750,000 baht, the State Railway of Thailand providing 340,000 baht, and the Department of Rights and Liberties Protection contributing 300,000 baht. However, the full compensation disbursement has been delayed due to unverified identities of two deceased individuals and incorrect national identification numbers for six others, which has impeded insurance claim processing. Coordination with relevant agencies, especially the police, is ongoing to obtain the necessary information for reimbursement.
Suggestions have been made for insurance companies and related agencies to review insurance coverage amounts and premiums in line with actual coverage levels and risk. The State Railway of Thailand maintains that its railway signaling system meets international standards, with signals serving as a cautionary measure rather than a direct stop unless a red flag signal or personnel absence indicates otherwise. Investigation efforts are hampered by time discrepancies in CCTV footage from various agencies, highlighting the need for systemic improvements.
Communication systems between train drivers and station staff are reported to follow standard procedures, though improvements, such as installing cameras and display screens, have been suggested to enhance safety. Currently, there are no regulations requiring routine drug testing during employment, only at the start or for license renewal, but new regulations are being considered.
Regarding train braking distances, it was clarified that they depend on load weight and operating conditions, and some proposed distances do not reflect actual conditions. The numerous railway crossings across various areas pose challenges, as requiring trains to stop at each would disrupt the rail system, necessitating collaborative management among agencies.
Traffic management faces challenges with officers managing multiple tasks, including coordination and signal operation, leading to a heavy workload. Some areas still rely on time-based traffic light systems that do not adjust according to real traffic conditions, and Bangkok's automated traffic signal system is not fully installed, necessitating reliance on traffic police.
The law enforcement system lacks clear standards between the police and railway systems, leading to coordination based on ad-hoc agreements without a systemic approach for warning about trains at level crossings. Data linkage limitations between traffic lights and railway systems hinder the creation of a fully integrated warning system.
Infrastructure challenges include traffic signal systems not being fully integrated with intelligent systems, leading to inconsistent traffic management. For future rail and mass transit projects, a review of restructuring and investment models is underway to expedite implementation. Additionally, there is no clear common standard among relevant agencies for law enforcement, with operations relying on officials' discretion.
CCTV camera limitations in some areas affect law enforcement efficacy, with some data not systematically transmitted to police departments. These issues reflect the complexity of managing infrastructure, signal systems, law enforcement, and data coordination among multiple agencies, necessitating systemic improvements for enhanced public safety in the long term.