Governor Chatchat has ordered a safety review of the Asoke-Din Daeng railway crossing and is considering long-term plans to elevate railway tracks and build underpasses across Bangkok to prevent repeated tragic incidents.
On 18 May 2026, Governor Chatchat Sitthiphan of Bangkok reported on progress following the accident where a freight train collided with bus route 206 (Bangna-Bangkhen) at the Asoke-Din Daeng railway crossing near Makkasan railway station and the Airport Rail Link Makkasan station in Ratchathewi district. He said he has instructed the Bangkok Traffic and Transport Department to urgently review safety at that intersection, particularly to assess the effectiveness of traffic signs such as the yellow box markings. The area is highly complex due to parallel roads requiring vehicles to cross to the opposite side and sudden lane changes from left to right. Bangkok authorities are coordinating with multiple agencies, including the police for law enforcement and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to improve road surfaces and traffic signals. Some signals exist but may not yet be fully operational.
He has directed the Traffic and Transport Department to review all intersections and risky points where trains cross within Bangkok to evaluate the effectiveness of traffic markings, especially at this complex site with parallel roads where vehicles must shift lanes and cross paths. Coordination with both the police and the railway is necessary for road surface improvements and traffic signals, some of which are installed but not yet activated. For long-term plans, past ideas included elevating railway tracks like the successful Vibhavadi Rangsit project, which would reduce crossings significantly, or possibly constructing underground roads. However, slope length must be considered carefully due to proximity to Phetchaburi Road. These projects require joint approval with relevant authorities to align with the government’s accident reduction policies.
Governor Chatchat stated that for traffic discipline enforcement, Bangkok will focus on public awareness and providing guidance to citizens. While law enforcement is mainly the police’s responsibility, a joint approach is needed to maximize safety. Past physical solutions considered include elevating railway tracks, similar to the Chaeng Watthana-Laksi section, which reduces crossings, or constructing underpasses. In building underpasses, care must be taken to avoid steep slopes that could affect the adjacent Phetchaburi intersection. Bangkok will reconsider these points in its overall management plan for railway crossings citywide to prevent further tragic incidents.