A team of experts visited the site to examine the crane wreckage that collapsed onto a train, collecting initial data to determine the cause of the accident. They have a 45-day working timeframe before finalizing the report for police authorities.
On 29 January 2026 at the accident site near Ban Thanon Khod, Sikhiu Subdistrict, Sikhiu District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, police from Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Police and Sikhiu Police Station, along with experts from the State Railway of Thailand, Department of Rail Transport, the Engineering Institute of Thailand under Royal Patronage, and Forensic Science Division Region 3, jointly conducted an on-site inspection of the crane parts involved in the incident. This expert team was appointed by the Ministry of Transport to investigate and ascertain the facts and causes of the crane collapse onto the train in Sikhiu District, Nakhon Ratchasima.
Police officers and experts surveyed the crane wreckage lying alongside the railway track at the accident scene, which has not yet been removed because it serves as crucial evidence. Some crane components showed visible damage, including bending and tearing. Additionally, the experts climbed the crane basket to inspect the upper area where the crane was installed, ensuring a thorough collection of information. Given the magnitude of this accident, a detailed and meticulous investigation is necessary, as the findings are vital for the police investigation that will lead to legal action against those responsible.
Police Colonel Thatchaphon Chinwong, Superintendent of Sikhiu Police Station, said, “Today, the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Police and Sikhiu Police Station brought experts to the site to examine the collapsed crane to determine the cause of the accident. The inspection results will support the investigation and help decide on legal proceedings against those involved. Regarding case progress, the police have already interviewed over 150 witnesses. We expect it will take some more time to gather all evidence before proceeding with prosecution.”
Mr. Ekachai Yuprasertchai, a civil engineering professor specializing in structural engineering at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi and part of the expert team inspecting the site, stated, “Today, we visited the accident site to investigate the facts and determine what caused the incident. Our goal is to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the accident to identify what happened beforehand. Initially, our appointed expert panel has a 45-day deadline to conclude the cause of the accident and submit the report to the police. This involves consolidating data from previous expert teams that inspected the site together with our findings to reach a definitive conclusion on this accident.”