“Death crossings” have persisted for three years with unresolved Thai train accidents. Statistics show many major accidents result from poor traffic discipline and failure to respect railway crossing rules at road-rail intersections.
Railway crossings remain among the most dangerous spots on Thailand's roads. Reviewing train accident statistics over the past three years (2023–2026 CE) reveals that most serious accidents occur at level crossings and illegal crossings, reflecting structural and safety issues urgently needing attention.
Our news team’s data compilation found that in the past three years, there were four major serious accidents at railway crossings. These can be categorized by accident type and involved vehicles as follows.
Illegal crossings—informal crossing points created for community convenience without official barriers—remain recurrent accident sites.
On 6 January 2023, train No. 1202 (Mahachai–Wongwian Yai) collided with a pickup at an illegal crossing on Doem Bang Road, Mahachai Subdistrict, Mueang Samut Sakhon District, Samut Sakhon Province, causing two immediate fatalities at the scene.
On 8 July 2024, a similar incident occurred when ordinary train No. 201 (Bangkok/Hua Lamphong–Phitsanulok) struck a pickup at an illegal crossing between Phichit and Tha Lo stations in Ban Ratchchangkhwan Village, Phichit Province. The collision killed five people and seriously injured two others.
Accidents with large vehicles often happen when trucks get stuck or cannot clear crossings within the allotted time.
On 19 January 2024, express train No. 109 (Bangkok Apiwat–Chiang Mai) violently struck a truck at the Ban Khlong Samphring railway crossing, Phan Lan Subdistrict, Chum Saeng District, Nakhon Sawan Province. This incident resulted in the death of one train driver on duty and serious injury to an engineer.
A train collided with a city bus in the most recent accident, causing national shock and extensive news coverage.
On 16 May 2026, a freight train collided with a bus on route 206 at the Asoke-Din Daeng level crossing (near Makkasan Airport Rail Link). The impact caused a fire engulfing the bus, resulting in numerous injuries and fatalities, becoming another nightmare for the capital’s residents.
Analysis of these four incidents over three years clearly shows that all accidents at railway crossings involved collisions with other road vehicles: two pickups, one truck, and one bus.
As long as illegal crossings remain open or automated warning systems and barriers at key crossings do not function effectively, such accidents are unlikely to be the last. The crisis over the past three years serves as a strong reminder that government agencies and road users must collaborate urgently to resolve the "death crossings" and prevent further loss on the rails in the future.