The elevated Yellow Line monorail service in Bangkok is suspended until midnight, to allow for repairs and a thorough inspection, following an incident in which metal debris fell from the track onto traffic below on Srinakarin Road this morning, damaging some vehicles.
Industry Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has ordered a tightening of safety measures, to prevent another accident, according to his advisor Pongkawin Juangroongruangkit, who visited the scene of the incident today.
“If this happens again, the minister has stated that he would review the contract and those found to be responsible could face penalties,” said Pongkawin.
According to the Rail Transport Department’s inspection report, issued at about 8:30am, the conductor rail between Kalantan and Si Udom stations fell onto the walkways, causing loose metal debris to fall to the ground, resulting in the suspension of services on the entire line.
Officials had to evacuate passengers stranded in two carriages when the accident occurred. The falling debris damaged one minivan, a sedan and a motorcycle. No one was injured.
Compensation will be provided by Eastern Bangkok Monorail, the concessionaire of the line, according to Pongkawin.
On January 2, a tyre fell off a Yellow Line monorail train and hit a taxi below, on Thepharak Road in Samut Prakan province. No one was injured. On December 24 last year, another section of conductor rail fell from the Pink Line monorail onto Tiwanon Road, also causing service suspension.
