A deadly train disaster in Thailand has once again raised questions about the safety standards of a developer already under scrutiny for a previous tragedy. The incident occurred on a Chinese-backed high-speed rail project, where a crane fell onto a moving train, killing at least 32 people and injuring over 60. The same company, Italian-Thai Development Public Company Ltd (ITD), was previously blamed for a deadly office tower collapse in Bangkok last year, which resulted in the deaths of at least 89 construction workers during an earthquake.
The train disaster unfolded in the central province of Nakhon Ratchasima, where the three-carriage train was en route from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani in the country's east. The impact of the crane's fall caused the train to derail and partially catch fire just after 9 am local time. Rescue workers rushed to the scene, over 200 kilometers from Bangkok, to extract casualties from overturned carriages and manage the smoke.
ITD, one of Thailand's largest developers, has taken responsibility for the tragedy, expressing condolences and offering full compensation and medical care to the families of the deceased and injured. The company's statement on social media highlights the ongoing investigation, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirming that the relevant section was under construction by a Thai enterprise.
This incident has sparked concerns about the safety of ITD's projects, especially given the company's history. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, campaigning for re-election, has expressed his belief that accidents like this are often caused by negligence, skipped steps, deviations from the design, or the use of incorrect materials. The Thai government has set a deadline of 2030 for the completion of the entire high-speed rail line, which connects Bangkok to Nong Khai, a border town with Laos.
The controversy surrounding ITD's projects has raised questions about the effectiveness of safety measures and the potential impact on public trust in infrastructure development in Thailand.
