The Department of Mental Health has prepared the MCATT team to provide psychological support following the train-bus collision at Asoke Intersection and urges cooperation in refraining from sharing distressing images.
On 17 May 2026, Dr. Kittisak Aksornwong, Director-General of the Department of Mental Health, stated that the train collision with a public bus at Asoke Intersection, which caused multiple injuries and deaths, is a traumatic event that may affect the mental well-being of those directly involved, the bereaved families, eyewitnesses, and the public following the news through social media.
The Department of Mental Health requests the public and media to refrain from publishing, forwarding, or sharing images and videos of the incident, especially those showing injured persons, deceased victims, or graphic content. This is to respect human dignity, personal rights, and the feelings of bereaved families. It also advises avoiding interviewing relatives or affected individuals while they are still grieving. Repeated exposure to violent images can cause stress, anxiety, fear, or widespread psychological trauma, especially among children, the elderly, and vulnerable groups.
Dr. Kittisak Aksornwong added that the Department has assigned the Mental Health Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team (MCATT) to prepare personnel and support systems for psychological care to assist those affected by the incident. Coordination is ongoing with local agencies to assess the situation and develop appropriate assistance measures based on the severity of the event. Initial assessments indicate the situation remains manageable and is likely to improve.
Additionally, Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry has arranged MCATT team shifts from 17 to 21 May 2026 to be ready for any necessary additional support. The Department of Mental Health has prepared six MCATT teams from Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry, Srithanya Hospital, Kalyanagarindra Institute, Rajanukul Institute, Rajanagarindra Institute of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, and Mental Health Center 13 to provide psychological care support. Coordination is also underway with the Police Forensic Institute and Police Hospital to manage the deceased, and with Rajavithi Hospital to visit the injured.
The public is advised to follow information only from official government sources and reliable news outlets and to avoid sharing unverified information to reduce confusion, panic, and additional psychological impacts.
Those who continuously follow the news should take breaks from consuming it, avoid repeatedly viewing graphic images, and monitor their own and close ones’ stress levels. If experiencing shock, fear, insomnia, or accumulated stress, individuals should not keep these feelings to themselves but talk with trusted persons or seek professional advice. For stress, anxiety, insomnia, or psychological impact, consultation is available 24/7 via the mental health hotline 1323.