Train derails in Phatthalung

A Bangkok-bound train derailed in Phatthalung on Thursday, apparently due to the poor condition of the tracks. Several passengers suffered minor injuries.

The eight-carriage train, which originated in Butterworth, Malaysia and was carrying some 300 passengers, derailed about 200 metres outside Kuan Kiem station in Paborn district. The train had picked up passengers at Narathiwat's Sungai Kolok station before the accident.

Passengers had to leave the train and make their way to Ban Kuan Kiem station. The State Railway of Thailand was arranging transportation to take them to their destinations.

Initial investigation found that the rail sleepers were damaged and could not hold the tracks when the train passed, causing the carriages to derail.

Ban Khuan Kiam station staff informed the maintenance centre at Hat Yai Junction asking for more engineers and staff to bring in heavy machinery to retrieve the carriages and repair the track to allow services to resume.

The accident suspends trains on the southern from Bangkok to Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. However, SRT believes that services could be resumed on Thursday afternoon.