Driver says he was told to release brake
POST REPORTERS The damaged front of the passenger train rammed by an empty runaway train at Thailand Cultural Centre subway station on Monday. — PHRAKRIT JUNTAWONGThe safety standards of the
Bangkok subway system are not satisfactory, Deputy Prime Minister Chaturon Chaisaeng said yesterday.
He demanded Monday's accident be explained in a ''straightforward manner'' to regain public trust.
Mr Chaturon sad the national disaster prevention committee had made three inquiries about safety standards, but never received a satisfactory reply.
The deputy prime minister made his dissatisfaction known when chairing yesterday's cabinet meeting.
''We'll find out whether the accident was caused by a single problem, a train driver, or if it was a bigger problem.
That must be clarified or people will lose trust. The cause of the problem must be discussed in a straightforward manner because there had been warnings and recommendations beforehand, '' he said.
He wondered why the operator had implemented the safety standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) of the United
States, which was a private association.
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA), which has authority over the system, had no experience in handling an underground train and needed expertise from the NFPA to set up the safety measures.
Mr Suriya yesterday ordered the government investigation committee to examine the subway system thoroughly, from train operation to security, station management and the training of all staff responsible for train operation and security.
He believed the subway would resume operations in a week. ''It will be closed for only seven days. I'd like to see the clear findings first.''
Police said the driver of the train which rolled down the incline and hit the stationary passenger train confessed yesterday that he had released the handbrake, but said he was instructed to do so by an official at the control centre.
Thanapol Nithichotiyanon's confession was made to Pol Maj Wongsakorn Muankhiaw, of Huay Khwang, during three hours of questioning at Hua Chiew Hospital.
The officer quoted the driver as saying that he had heard an order from an official at the subway control centre to release the handbrake. The voice was familiar but he did not know who it was.
When the brake was released, his train rolled down the slope back into the tunnel. He had tried to brake the train and contact the control centre but he could do nothing in time to prevent the collision, which injured at least 200 passengers.
The driver could have fled to safety, but chose to remain and do his best.
However, the driver and other staff responsible for the accident had been reckless and caused serious injury to other people. This was an offence punishable by a maximum three-year jail term and a fine of 60, 000 baht if proven. No charges had yet been laid.
An investigation by a panel chaired by transport deputy permanent secretary Samart Yolapak is expected to conclude its work today. The finding should cover the cause of the collision and those who should be held responsible and disciplined.
The two seriously injured passengers were in safe condition yesterday, but still in intensive care at Rama IX Hospital after surgery. Pairat Chaudakshetrin, orthopaedist in charge of the ICU, said they were on respiratory machines and would stay in the unit a few more days in case there were complications.
Orawan Burirak suffered kidney, liver and spleen injuries and internal bleeding.
Manee Sorsuwan has a broken jaw.
Subway operator
Bangkok Metro Co Ltd has set up complaint centres where passengers can claim compensation and report lost belongings.
The centres, open from 10am-7pm until Jan 24, are at the park-and-ride building, exit number 4 of Lat Phrao station, phone 01-617-9735 or 01-822-3512. The company's operations building on Rama IX road can be contacted at 02-624-5200.
