Despite a series of accidents at illegal makeshift railway crossings nationwide, authorities attempting to shut them down face strong opposition from locals and politicians.
A train travels over a road at Ngew Rai junction in Nakhon Pathom's Nakhon Chaisi district, where no barriers are installed. It is the site of two earlier lorry crashes. Pattarapong Chatpattarasill
A public call for a solution to the problem has intensified following four major collisions last week. Among the solutions which the government is considering is installing speed bumps and warning signs before crossings.
Three of the accidents at railway crossings last week happened on Wednesday alone.
Two people were hurt when a car they were travelling in collided with a train at a makeshift rail crossing in Chon Buri's Bang Lamung district shortly after noon. No barricade was installed there.
About 1pm, two people were killed when a passenger train smashed into their car at an unmarked junction in Phetchaburi's Muang district.
Later that day, a train hit a car which had broken down on a rail crossing between Phrom Phiram and Kwai Noi stations in Phitsanulok at 11pm, injuring the driver.
On Friday, a train collided with a 10-wheel lorry which cut across the tracks at a makeshift crossing in Khon Kaen, leaving four dead and 20 critically injured.
Pornsutti Thongsard, chief of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT)'s office, said its public awareness campaign about rail crossings must be stepped up, as accidents involving trains and vehicles are still too common.
Figures show most accidents at rail crossings happen upcountry, particularly when there are no barricades or warning signals, he said.
A total of 127 accidents at both illegal and legal rail crossings took place from October last year to September, leaving 27 dead and 91 injured, Mr Pornsutti said.
Illegal makeshift rail crossings have multiplied as communities expand, he said.
They often start with crossings for motorcycles and then expand to serve bigger vehicles.
These illegal crossings are created without the SRT's permission and have no safety measures in place.
About 87% of rail crossing accidents happen where there are no barricades, he said.
"It is difficult to close these crossings due to opposition from villagers and local communities, who complain to politicians and local influential figures to keep them open," Mr Pornsutti said.
"We can't do much but leave things the way they are."
An SRT official, who declined to be named, said residents in Bangkok's Lat Krabang district had built illegal rail crossings at several communities and some had even built makeshift living quarters nearby.
Authorities trying to move them encountered opposition from the locals who complained state officials were victimising them, the officer said.
Reckless driving is also to blame for many railroad accidents, the officer said.
Accidents are common when drivers pass through crossings without stopping or slowing down, despite warning lights, he said.
Some motorists believe they can outspeed approaching trains, but are often mistaken.
Speaking about the conduct of train drivers, the officer said they must reduce their speed and sound their horns as they approach crossings.
They would face legal action if if they ignore these rules, the officer said.
The law says motorists must also stay at least 5m from crossings when the barricade is down.
The Transport Ministry says there are 2,517 rail crossings nationwide.
Of the legal ones, 877 are equipped with barriers, and 755 are still waiting to have barriers installed.
For the current fiscal year, which began last month, about 403 million baht has been earmarked to install barriers at 130 crossings and construct roads underneath the tracks at 118 junctions.
The SRT has been contacting local administrative offices, urging them to instal warning signs at illegal crossings in their jurisdictions.
Following the crashes on Wednesday, the Transport Ministry held an urgent meeting with agencies to find ways to solve the problem.
The meeting, chaired by acting deputy permanent secretary for transport Chartchai Tipsunave, concluded the SRT, the Department of Highways and the Department of Rural Roads must work out ways to address the problem.
The plan will be submitted to Transport Minister Prajin Juntong in two weeks.
Meanwhile, the Transport Ministry will set up a panel to deal with problems at crossings outside the SRT's jurisdiction.
These are in Lampang, Ratchaburi, Samut Sakhon, Phitsanulok and Prachuap Khiri Khan, and accidents are common.
The panel is required to propose a solution to the ministry within one month.
ACM Prajin said he had asked a team to tackle problems at illegal crossings as a priority because they are accident-prone spots.
The minister said warning signs could be installed within 30m of crossings and speed bumps about 15m ahead of the junctions.
Warning systems could be set up within 5m of the tracks to alert drivers to approaching trains.
They could be installed at 195 illegal crossings next year.
By the following year, they could cover all junctions, he said.