A freight train driver involved in a deadly crash with a public bus at Bangkok’s Asoke‑Din Daeng railway crossing tested positive for drugs and now faces reckless‑driving charges. The Saturday afternoon collision occurred when a bus, halted on the tracks amid heavy traffic, was struck by an oncoming train. The impact ignited the bus, killing eight passengers and injuring dozens more.

Police reports indicate that both the bus driver and the manual barrier operator were also charged for their roles in the tragedy. Preliminary data from the train’s black‑box recorder showed the emergency brakes were applied only about 100 metres (330 feet) from the bus, insufficient to prevent the impact.

In response to the incident, Thailand’s rail transport department has ordered mandatory drug and alcohol testing for all train operators and railway staff before each shift. While officials have not disclosed the specific substance found in the driver’s urine sample, the move underscores growing concerns over safety at the notoriously busy Asoke‑Din Daeng crossing, where more than 100,000 vehicles are estimated to pass daily.

Experts note that the crossing’s design, originally built before surrounding roads expanded, has led to a culture of “risk normalisation,” with motorists frequently weaving through barriers to avoid delays. The latest disaster highlights the urgent need for infrastructural upgrades and stricter enforcement to prevent similar tragedies.