The Department of Rail Transport has ordered 100% drug and alcohol testing for all train drivers and rail transport control staff. It has also issued immediate suspension and serious disciplinary investigation orders for the train driver and the gate controller involved. Furthermore, an in-depth investigation will be conducted into how supervisors allowed personnel who tested positive for drugs to operate trains responsible for many lives.
The incident involved a train colliding with a bus near the Makkasan Airport Rail Link station around 15:30 on 16 May. The crash resulted in eight fatalities at the scene and many injuries, as previously reported.
On 17 May 2026, Mr. Pichet Kunathumrak, Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport, disclosed after receiving police information that the urine test of the driver of train number 2126, running from Laem Chabang to Bang Sue Junction, was positive for drugs. This train collided with bus route 3-30 (line 206), cars, and motorcycles parked near the railway crossing on Asoke-Din Daeng Road, causing 8 deaths and 30 injuries on 16 May 2026.
The Department of Rail Transport, emphasizing the safety of rail users and road users, has issued an urgent order requiring the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to conduct drug screenings and alcohol level tests on “all employees responsible for driving and controlling train movements,” as well as “all ground staff involved in safety,” such as gate controllers and switch operators, before each shift. The department enforces a “Zero Tolerance” policy, meaning zero presence of prohibited substances is allowed.
Mr. Pichet added that the train driver, Mr. Sayomphon Sonkul, did not have an official operator license from the Department of Rail Transport. He ordered the immediate suspension of this driver’s duties and instructed the SRT to set up a committee to conduct a serious disciplinary investigation. The SRT was also directed to immediately suspend the involved train driver and gate controller, pursue full legal action, and conduct a thorough investigation into how supervisors allowed someone with drugs in their system to operate a train that carries many lives.
Mr. Pichet concluded by citing Section 90 of the Rail Transport Act B.E. 2568 (2025), which states: “In cases where there is reasonable belief that an operator has substances in their body resulting from alcohol, other intoxicants, narcotics, or psychoactive substances, the rail transport inspector has the authority to test or order testing to determine the presence of such substances. The testing procedures must comply with criteria specified by the Director-General’s regulations.”
The Department of Rail Transport is currently preparing regulations to enforce this law. This order aims to build confidence among the public and passengers that the Department is firmly committed to the highest safety standards.