A 36-year-old Myanmar migrant worker, Aye Aye Myint, has been identified as one of the eight people killed in a devastating bus and freight train collision at the Makkasan level crossing in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 16. The crash also left more than 30 people injured.
Aye Aye Myint, originally from Myanmar’s Kyonhpe village in Hpa-An Township, Karen State, had lived and worked in Thailand for over a decade. She was most recently employed as staff at a restaurant in the Thai capital.
A fatal commute
Ko Win, the victim’s cousin, told DVB that Bangkok’s Police General Hospital officially confirmed her identity through DNA testing on Tuesday. “The family is really devastated. Once the body is released, we will proceed with the funeral arrangements,” he said.
Thai media reported that forensic teams had successfully identified seven of the eight victims, including Aye Aye Myint, by May 22, releasing their bodies to grieving relatives.
Six of the other identified victims were Thai citizens. Aye Aye Myint’s funeral ceremony is scheduled to take place on May 24 at the Wat Phrom Wong Saram temple in Bangkok’s Din Daeng District.
On the day of the accident, Aye Aye Myint had reportedly boarded Bangkok bus line 206 outside the Central Rama 9 shopping center after finishing her shift.
Tragedy struck just one stop later when a freight train slammed into the bus at the Makkasan crossing, causing the vehicle to burst into flames. The ensuing wreckage also destroyed four cars and 15 motorcycles.
Investigation and criminal charges
The collision has sparked public outrage following damning preliminary findings. Investigators from Thailand’s Department of Rail Transport revealed that the freight train was operated by an unlicensed driver who tested positive for methamphetamine.
Reports indicate the driver failed to apply the emergency brakes until the train was a mere 100 meters from impact.
In response, Thai police have filed criminal charges—including negligence causing death—against the train conductor, the railway crossing operator, and the bus driver.
Thailand’s Ministry of Transport announced that families of the deceased will receive compensation of up to 2.39 million Thai baht ($73,000 USD) per victim through an insurance fund.
Aye Aye Myint’s death highlights the vast presence of the Myanmar diaspora within the Thai workforce.
According to estimates by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Thailand currently hosts more than 2.3 million registered migrant workers from Myanmar, a population that surged significantly following the 2021 military coup.
