Bangkok: The National Rail Transport Agency (NRT) is taking immediate action to implement a double standard for overseeing upgrading projects after a high-speed rail crane collapsed, shaking confidence in Thailand's rail system. The incident occurred on January 14, 2026, when a construction crane on the high-speed rail project fell onto a Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani express train in Sikhiu District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. This unfortunate event resulted in loss of life and property, severely damaging public confidence in the safety of the rail system.

According to Thai News Agency, the Rail Technology Research and Development Institute (RTRI) has reiterated its role as a central agency for academic expertise and safety standards. The RTRI has developed and published two important standards to enhance safety in the construction of elevated rail structures for high-speed rail. These standards include guidelines for installing box-shaped girders using the section-to-section method and standards for inspecting and evaluating the performance of conveyor shafts, which are the main machines in the lifting and installation process of structures.

These two standards cover every stage, from design and manufacturing to quality control, transportation, and installation, to prevent engineering defects and reduce the risk of serious accidents in rail construction. They affirm the commitment to serving as a key mechanism for national knowledge and standards, aiming to enhance the safety, reliability, and sustainability of Thailand's rail transport system in the long term. This initiative seeks to restore public confidence in a tangible way.