Makkasan Police prepare to detain the train driver and flagman, announcing additional charges after methamphetamine was detected in the train driver's blood. The bus driver is also expected to face charges. The train's black box data showed delayed braking.
Regarding the tragic collision where freight train number 2126 crashed into an orange air-conditioned bus (route Por. 206), vehicle number 3-44197 running between Mega Bangna and Kasetsart University (Kaset), license plate 12-5641 Bangkok, and caught fire, resulting in 8 passenger deaths and 30 injuries, with multiple vehicles damaged. The incident occurred near the Makkasan Airport Rail Link station on Asoke-Din Daeng Road, Makkasan subdistrict, Ratchathewi district, at 15:42 on 16 May, amid widespread sorrow.
Subsequently, Mr. Sayomphon, 46, the train driver, and Mr. Uten, the signal flagman, were charged with negligence causing death and property damage. Meanwhile, Mr. Sayomphon tested positive for drugs as previously reported.
Update at 08:00 on 18 May 2026: Police Lieutenant Jaruphat Buakaw, Deputy Investigator of Makkasan Police Station, will submit the case file and summon the two suspects, Mr. Sayomphon and Mr. Uten, who were released on bail, to accompany railway legal officers to the police station before proceeding to Ratchada Criminal Court for their initial detention hearing later this morning.
Reports indicate that after Mr. Sayomphon and Mr. Uten underwent medical examinations at the Police Hospital, no drugs were found in Mr. Uten’s system, but methamphetamine was detected in Mr. Sayomphon’s blood. Investigators at Makkasan Police Station added two charges against him: drug use and driving under the influence of drugs.
Mr. Lapis, the bus driver involved, is currently hospitalized. Medical staff have already conducted blood tests during his treatment, with results showing no drugs detected. The medical report will be submitted to Makkasan Police investigators this morning. It is expected that Mr. Lapis will face the same charge as Mr. Sayomphon for negligence causing death and property damage after formal investigation (pending recovery).
Meanwhile, black box data reveals the train was traveling at 35 km/h and applied emergency brakes only 100 meters before impact, while the safe stopping distance should have been no less than 2 kilometers.