NAKHON RATCHASIMA, THAILAND – Train services on Thailand’s northeastern line resumed after a fatal crane collapse prompted repairs and extensive safety inspections.
Rail operations resume after repairs
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) had closed the section between Kaeng Khoi, Pak Chong and Nakhon Ratchasima following the 14 January accident, in which 30 people died and 69 were injured. According to acting SRT governor Anan Phonimdaeng, damaged tracks were repaired, including the replacement of 20 metres of rail, with work completed on Friday and the line reopened after a final inspection.
First trains pass accident site
The section was reopened to traffic at 5 a.m. on Saturday. The first northbound train from Kaeng Khoi to Khon Kaen passed the accident site at 7 a.m., followed by a Surin–Bangkok service at 9:10 a.m. and special train No. 21 at 9:40 a.m.
Authorities said safety regulations for construction near railway lines had been tightened nationwide to prevent similar incidents. In Ban Thanon Kot in Sikhiu district, construction firms were still clearing debris and restoring the surrounding area, while 13 of the 69 injured people remained in hospital.
Funerals held as compensation disputed
All bodies of the deceased were handed over to families so funeral rites could be performed. Initial compensation of 1.77 million baht per victim was paid out.
Many relatives considered the amount inadequate, especially where the dead had been main breadwinners. Local resident Kitti Pinprachak, 80, who lost a family member, said the payment could not offset the long-term impact:
“The money may be paid once, but the consequences remain forever.”
said Kitti Pinprachak, bereaved resident.
Lawyers outline further civil claims
Legal experts stressed that additional civil compensation claims were possible beyond the initial payouts. Kroekrit Chotthaphiphat, vice president of the Volunteer Lawyers Unit of the Nakhon Ratchasima Lawyers Council, said affected people could seek further redress.
According to Kroekrit, such lawsuits could particularly cover medical costs, loss of income and maintenance payments for family members.
Police question witnesses and forensic teams probe site
Police in Nakhon Ratchasima continued to investigate the cause of the collapse. Pol Maj Gen Narongsak Phromtha said more than 130 witnesses had been questioned so far, including injured passengers and technical experts.
The investigation aimed to establish the precise course of the crane fall and identify responsible parties. Specialists and forensic officers were conducting additional examinations at the accident scene.
Construction firm rejects reports of legal action
Construction company Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD), which was involved in the project, responded to public criticism and rejected reports that it was considering legal action against the state. Sumet Surabotsophon, Senior Executive Vice President, said ITD would cooperate with the government and improve its procedures to avoid future incidents, adding that safety was the company’s top priority, according to the Bangkok Post.
Despite the resumption of rail services, residents living near the line remained divided over whether operations should have restarted at this point. The investigation was still under way, and many families said they still felt insufficiently compensated for their losses.