The Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport revealed black box data showing the train collided with a bus at about 35 kilometers per hour, but braked only 100 meters before impact, although due to heavy loading, it should have stopped 2 kilometers earlier.
On 17 May 2026, following the collision between a train and an orange air-conditioned bus, route 206, which caused 8 deaths and 30 injuries, Dr. Pichet Kunathamrak, Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport, disclosed preliminary black box data from the train involved. It showed the train collided with the bus at approximately 35 kilometers per hour and applied emergency brakes about 100 meters before the collision. This means the train driver began braking only 100 meters before impact, attempting all possible measures to stop or maneuver the train, but the braking was too late, resulting in the accident.
Dr. Pichet also stated that the signaling system was functioning normally without faults. However, the crossing barriers did not lower as usual, and although the train driver should have stopped earlier, the braking was delayed.
Furthermore, stopping a train, especially one carrying container trucks weighing several thousand tons, requires nearly 2 kilometers to come to a halt. Therefore, braking only 100 meters before the collision was excessively late. The investigation is ongoing, reviewing evidence and surrounding data.
Any further developments will be reported in due course.