Automatic train braking planned for Bangkok's lethal level crossing

PUBLISHED : 14 Jun 2026 at 17:09

The Transport Ministry plans to install an automatic train braking system at Bangkok’s most lethal level crossing within six months, and expand the system to the capital's other railway crossings within two years.

Deputy permanent secretary Jirapong Theppitak said an automatic train protection (ATP) system would be installed at the Makkasan level crossing on Asok-Din Daeng Road to prevent a recurrence of the deadly train-bus collision there in May.

According to Mr Jirapong, the ATP would automatically stop approaching trains if the crossing traffic barriers were not fully deployed. It could also connect to nearby traffic lights, to help ensure the road over the crossing is clear for an approaching train.

It was planned to install the braking system at Makkasan crossing within six months, by the end of this year, and at all other level railway crossings in Bangkok within two years.

The ATP project at Makkasan crossing is among the immediate changes to be executed in six months to prevent a recurrence of horrific May 16 train-bus collision that killed eight bus passengers and injured about 30 other people.

Other urgent measures include more efficient communications between level crossing supervisors of the State Railway of Thailand and Bangkok traffic police, to ensure safety at  level crossings. The public will be given serious warnings to not ignore or go around level crossing barriers.

In addition, passenger bus drivers will be given strict orders to ensure they do not stop on a level crossing, and train drivers will be tested for drug and alcohol abuse.

In the May 16 collision, a passenger bus stopped on the tracks at Makkasan crossing, halted by traffic congestion, while the freight train driver was found to have used methamphetamine and cannabis.

In the longer term, the Transport Ministry will elevate the tracks along the Red Line train route, eliminating 18 level crossings in Bangkok, and do the same for level crossings nationwide under its double-track railway project.