Four people were killed when their pickup truck was hit by a Hua Hin-bound tourist train at an illegal track crossing in Phetchaburi yesterday.
The truck was traversing the crossing in Cha-am district when the train from Bangkok to Suan Son Padiphat with 140 tourists aboard struck the vehicle, pushing it 700 metres down the track.
Police and the State Railway of Thailand said the people in the truck died at the scene of the crash. The dead pickup passengers were all from Nan. No train passengers were hurt in the accident.
One of the bodies, a male, was thrown from the pickup during the crash. His lifeless body was found close to where the train stopped.
Police discovered inside the mangled wreck of the pickup some fliers advertising coffins, along with some funeral clothes and donation receipts issued by a foundation.
Sayumpu Sutthikul, a duty officer at Cha-am police station, and SRT governor Wutthichart Kalayanamitr, said the crossing was built illegally.
The governor said the train agency had told the Cha-am municipality office to shut the crossing as a legal alternative with an automatic barrier was just 150 metres away. But local residents still used the illegal crossing.
Mr Wutthichart said at crossings with no barricades, officials should be stationed to direct vehicles passing through the area.
He also urged motorists to reduce speed as they approach train crossings, stop five metres from the track and look both ways before crossing the rail tracks.
Pol Capt Sayumpu said the pickup driver may have been unfamiliar with the area. Evidence inside the truck indicated the occupants were soliciting donations for a foundation to help the poor in Nan.
Train passengers were transferred to buses to continue their trip, he said.