The Korat police chief is rigorously interrogating the engineer overseeing the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail construction following the incident where a crane fell onto the train. So far, over 50 related parties have been questioned. A special task force has been established to take direct responsibility for the case. Meanwhile, the Korat Chamber of Commerce is providing free lodging for relatives of the deceased and injured.
The accident involved a construction crane from Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited, working on contracts 3-4 of the high-speed rail project covering the Lam Takhong–Sikhiu and Kutjik–Khok Kruat sections. The crane fell onto Express Train No. 21 running from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station to Ubon Ratchathani, causing the train to derail and catch fire. As of now, 32 people have died and 67 have been injured.
On 15 January 2026 at Sikhiu Police Station, Pol. Maj. Gen. Narongsak Promtha, Provincial Police Commander of Nakhon Ratchasima, together with Police Colonel Thatchaphon Chinwong, Chief of Sikhiu Police Station, and the investigative team, jointly interrogated the engineer responsible for supervising the work involved in the incident. The atmosphere was tense, as the engineer appeared stressed throughout the questioning.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Narongsak Promtha stated that the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Police have formed a special investigative team dedicated to this case. They have gathered investigators from multiple local police stations to expedite a thorough and fair investigation. Emphasis is placed on clarifying the facts of the incident and providing care for the victims' families and injured persons who need to travel or receive urgent medical treatment.
Additionally, the provincial police chief said that the Royal Thai Police Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and the Commander of Region 3 Police have offered various recommendations on managing the case, including overall incident handling, systematic investigation, supporting victims’ families, and caring for the injured. So far, more than 50 witnesses have been interviewed, with many more expected, especially among passengers on the train. Police plan to question every passenger to obtain the most complete facts. He confirmed that the police are not daunted by the workload but will perform their duties to the fullest, expressing condolences to the bereaved families and support for all injured. Authorities continue to summon relevant individuals for further questioning to ensure transparency and fairness.
Recently, relatives of the deceased and injured visited Sikhiu Police Station to retrieve luggage and other belongings left on the train. Some were visibly emotional, expressing sorrow and grief over the tragedy.
The crane operator has initially provided information useful to the case. However, detailed information remains confidential as it is part of the ongoing investigation file.
At Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, forensic officials joined a meeting with hospital doctors and relatives of the deceased to conduct identity verification of the victims. Officials from the Nakhon Ratchasima Justice Office also participated, explaining compensation procedures to the families. So far, the hospital has positively identified 12 victims and allowed relatives to collect documents to claim the bodies for traditional funeral rites. Twenty more bodies are still pending identification.
Mr. Boonyuen Jathong, 71, father of Ms. Alisha Jathong, one of the deceased, revealed that before the accident, his daughter was traveling with a relative sitting beside her, heading to a funeral in Sisaket Province. Both tragically died in the accident. After hearing the news, he and his son-in-law rushed from Sisaket to the scene to look for her body but could not find it. Before traveling, he had a premonition something bad would happen, coinciding with a dream of a wheel-less, fiery vehicle and his daughter inviting him to board a train, which he declined. He is convinced the dream was a forewarning of the accident. The previous night, while resting in Non Sung District, Nakhon Ratchasima, he heard knocking on his door and felt it was his daughter visiting him. He spoke aloud that he would take her home in the morning. His family is still struggling with the loss. Despite being a funeral director for decades and having handled thousands of bodies, he never imagined he would have to prepare his own daughter's funeral.
Meanwhile, various organizations have extended assistance to families of the deceased and injured. The Nakhon Ratchasima Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the Provincial Administrative Organization and V-One Korat Hotel, has provided 20 rooms for relatives to stay while arranging to receive bodies and visiting injured patients.
When asked if there were particular difficulties in handling the case, Pol. Maj. Gen. Narongsak Promtha said there were none. When asked if he had a message for the families of the deceased or injured, he expressed his condolences and assured that the police would perform their duties to the best of their abilities.