The Department of Rail Transport explained the woman's screaming inside the Red Line electric train control room, confirming it was the voice of a female train operator, likely caused by accumulated stress. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) ordered her temporary reassignment and sent her for physical and mental health examinations.
On 8 April 2026, reporters reported that a video clip circulated on social media showing passengers on the Red Line electric train hearing a woman screaming loudly inside the driver's cabin, wailing continuously from Rangsit to Don Mueang stations. A male passenger, unable to tolerate it, knocked on the door to call out, but no one opened, as previously reported.
Regarding this matter, Mr. Pichet Kunathamrak, Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport, revealed that on 7 April 2026 at around 9:00 p.m., the department learned from social media (a TikTok user) that at about 2:30 p.m., passengers on the Red Line commuter train between Rangsit and Don Mueang stations heard a woman screaming inside the driver's cabin. Eventually, a passenger knocked on the door, after which the screams stopped. Upon learning this, the department immediately coordinated with executives of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), the operator of the Red Line commuter train, to investigate the incident involving the female train operator's screaming during duty. She was suspended from duty pending the investigation's outcome.
Initial investigation found that the female train operator was on duty on 7 April 2026 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The incident occurred during her last scheduled run of the day, departing Rangsit station at 2:30 p.m., heading to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. After leaving Rangsit, she intermittently screamed until reaching Don Mueang station. It is believed she was experiencing personal problems combined with accumulated work stress, which caused this behavior. Nevertheless, she completed her duty by reaching the final station at Krung Thep Aphiwat.
Reviewing the draft ministerial regulation on qualifications for license applicants for personnel duties (year unspecified), it was found that SRT train operators are not required to undergo mental health assessments before assuming their roles. However, before duty, SRT conducts readiness checks on all employees, including the operator in question.
According to the Rail Transport Act B.E. 2568 (2025), Section 99 states that if a personnel member appears to lack qualifications regarding physical health, knowledge, or ability as outlined in Section 96(4), the officer must promptly report to the Director-General. If deemed necessary, the Director-General can order the licensee to require the personnel to undergo medical or theoretical/practical tests. During this time, the licensee must temporarily assign another personnel to perform the duties. If the issue concerns physical health, the personnel must not perform duties while ill or injured in a way that impairs their capability. If medical results indicate the personnel cannot perform their duties, the licensee must promptly replace them with another qualified person.
To ensure safety in personnel duties that could impact passengers, staff, and others using the rail system, the Department of Rail Transport has assigned officers to review the operator’s driving license issuance. It has also issued a letter to SRT to investigate the facts and emphasize thorough readiness checks of train operators’ physical and mental health, with results to be reported accordingly.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT), operator of the Red Line commuter train, clarified the facts, apologizing for the incident which caused alarm among passengers aboard the train. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. on a train departing from Rangsit station toward Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. During this time, a female train operator experienced accumulated stress from personal issues, leading to her screaming inside the train control room.
The company confirmed that before each duty, the train control supervisor checks every operator’s readiness, including physical condition, mental state, proper attire, and alcohol levels, following established procedures and regulations. Equipment readiness is also verified to ensure service quality.
Checks on the operator before starting work found no unusual behavior or signs of stress or other risks, so she was authorized to perform her duties normally. The company has strict rules prohibiting train operators from using mobile phones during duty. CCTV footage from the control room showed no mobile phone use during the incident.
The company prioritizes safety and has maintained zero accident statistics over more than 15 years of service. This incident has significantly affected the organization’s image. The company will conduct a thorough investigation and immediately take two actions: first, temporarily reassign the operator to another position; second, have human resources arrange for her to undergo detailed physical and mental health assessments to evaluate her fitness for duty. The company aims to complete the investigation quickly to prevent recurrence.
Additionally, given current social conditions, the company has implemented a mental health care program allowing all employees to assess their mental well-being, recognize stress and anxiety, and reduce risks of long-term physical and mental health problems. The company values all employees equally to promote happiness and improve work efficiency.
The company reaffirms that all train operators and front-line staff undergo thorough physical and mental readiness checks before duty. Passengers can be confident that the Red Line commuter train service is safe.