The National Police Chief has ordered a comprehensive nationwide effort to regulate railway crossings after discovering more than 200 illegal crossings posing significant safety hazards. He stressed the importance of strict safety measures and decisive law enforcement, along with coordinated efforts from all sectors to address the problem.
On 26 May 2026, Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiwpan, Deputy Inspector General of Police and spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police, announced that at 10:00 a.m., Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, National Police Chief, chaired a meeting on traffic administration at Sriyanont Room, Building 1, Royal Thai Police Headquarters. The meeting was attended by Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma, Deputy National Police Chief, the Deputy Inspector General and police spokesperson, commanders of Metropolitan Police Regions 1–9, provincial police commanders under Regions 1–9, and all police station chiefs under the Metropolitan Police Bureau. The meeting aimed to establish strategies to prevent accidents at railway crossings.
The police spokesperson disclosed that surveys conducted by the Metropolitan Police Bureau and Provincial Police Regions 1–9 found a total of 1,478 railway crossings nationwide. The National Police Chief expressed special concern about the problem of "illegal crossings"—paths created by the public without permission. The survey identified as many as 249 such crossings, which lack standard warning signals or barriers, resulting in a high risk of severe accidents.
The National Police Chief has issued four directives to effectively address the problem and prevent accidents at railway crossings as follows:
1. Integrate problem-solving across all sectors: Coordinate with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, State Railway of Thailand, Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, and related agencies to establish measures, install railway barriers, CCTV cameras, and control train movements at crossings. Special attention will be given to managing illegal crossings to meet safety standards or consider closing those deemed excessively dangerous.
2. Proactive public relations: Focus on educating the public about laws and the consequences of accidents, especially the risks associated with illegal crossings, to raise awareness and promote a positive national image. Additionally, communicate the intent to enforce laws rigorously.
3. Law enforcement to change driver behavior: Strictly require drivers to reduce speed and stop no less than 5 meters from railway tracks. Stopping or parking vehicles on railway crossings or on yellow diagonal markings is strictly prohibited.
4. Utilize technology for monitoring and prevention: Install CCTV cameras to monitor traffic conditions and provide real-time alerts when trains or vehicles enter hazardous zones.
The National Police Chief emphasized that safety at railway crossings is an urgent matter, particularly concerning illegal crossings scattered nationwide. He has ordered all units to promptly coordinate with local agencies to establish shared operational standards to prevent loss of life. In case of incidents, police station commanders are instructed to manage situations swiftly and effectively.