LAMPHUN - An oil tanker train derailed in Mae Tha district of this northern province early on Wednesday, leaking fuel onto the track and disrupting all services using the Chiang Mai-Lampang rail route.
The oil-laden train derailed at Nong Lom railway station in tambon Sri Buaban, according to the Lamphun police 191 emergency call centre.
Nong Lom stationmaster Jame Saenkham said the train was hauling 12 tankers loaded with diesel oil and one with cement. It was en route from Saraburi to Chiang Mai when it derailed in front of the station around 1.30am on Wednesday. He and his assistant Uthen Thanyachumpoo were on duty at the time.
He said diesel was seen leaking from some of the derailed tankers. The area was declared unsafe and off-limits to the public.
The transfer of the oil cargo to replacement tankers would be completed today, but repairs to the track would probably take at least one week, the stationmaster said.
Repair crews from nearby northern provinces would be assigned to help salvage the derailed train.
The derailment had halted train services between Chiang Mai and Lampang for the time being, Mr Jame said.