LAMPHUN, Dec 2 – A Chiang Mai-bound express train on which the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor was travelling derailed just two hours after departing from Lamphun station early today.
The last car carrying Mr Prapas Chongsa-nguan on a duty trip derailed at 9.30am after the train left Lampang station at 6.30am. The SRT chief and his team of managers and and other passengers were not hurt in the incident as the train moved slowly towards Lumphun station.
It was the first incident just one day after the SRT reopened its northern rail route between Uttaradit and Chiang Mai yesterday. The section of the railway had been closed for repairs for 75 days following frequent rail accidents.
The SRT governor explained that the incident was caused by human error as Lumphun station chief hastily ordered his staff to switch the rail track while the last compartment moved past the area and eventually derailed.
SRT workers are now working to retrieve the derailed car.
Mr Prapas reportedly ordered the transfer of Lamphun station chief Silarat Divajee to Sila Art station as a result of the mishap.
