Bangkok: The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) reaffirms its commitment to serving as the primary mechanism for academic expertise and standards in the country's railway system. The National Institute of Safety (NIST) reiterated its role in developing safety standards for rail construction projects following an accident on the high-speed rail project.
According to Thai News Agency, the accident on January 14, 2026, where a construction crane for the high-speed rail project collapsed onto express train No. 21 on the Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani route near Ban Thanon Khot, Sikhiu District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, resulted in loss of life and property, and has impacted public confidence in the safety of the country's rail transport system.
The Rail Technology Research and Development Institute (Public Organization), or RTI, as the central agency for research, development, and standardization of rail systems in Thailand, has reinforced its role as an expert in academic knowledge and safety standards. It has developed and published standards for the construction of elevated rail structures for high-speed rail projects. These standards serve as a technical reference framework to enhance construction safety, ensuring compliance with sound engineering principles and verifiable standards. Two publications have been released:
1) Construction Standard for the Installation of Precast Box Girder Components using the Span-to-Span Method with Tree Conveyor for Elevated Structures in High-Speed Rail Projects, No. HSR-CT-3004:2569
2) Standard for Inspection, Testing, and Performance Evaluation of Conveyor Belts for Precast Box Girder Installation in Elevated Structures of High-Speed Rail Projects, No. HSR-CT-4013:2569
The development of these two standards reflects the role of NSTDA in developing in-depth knowledge in railway engineering, covering risk management at every stage of the construction process, from design and factory production to material quality control, component transportation, lifting, and structural installation. This ensures safe, standardized, and traceable operations.
Furthermore, these standards emphasize the inspection, testing, and performance evaluation of conveyor shafts, a key machine in the installation process of box-shaped girders for elevated structures. They establish clear technical guidelines to confirm machine availability, minimize engineering defects, and prevent serious accidents in rail construction projects.
The National Institute of Rail Transport (NIRT) reaffirms its commitment to serving as the leading academic and standards mechanism for the country's rail system. It aims to connect knowledge, research, and standardization with practical field applications to enhance the safety, reliability, and long-term sustainability of Thailand's rail transport system. Furthermore, it hopes these standards will provide a minimum technical framework for engineers, supervisors, and inspectors to ensure rigorous and transparent oversight of construction projects, thereby building tangible public confidence.
Furthermore, the Thailand Rail Transport Institute (RTRI) has continuously developed and published standards for rail systems in various fields, covering infrastructure, electrical and signaling systems, construction, testing, and maintenance. This supports the development, enhances safety, and strengthens the reliability of the country's overall rail transport system. Those interested can study and access RTRI's rail system standards on the website.