Commuters urge road safety after Bangkok crash kills eight

Thai commuters urged drivers to obey traffic laws on Sunday (May 17), a day after a freight train struck a bus at a rail crossing in Bangkok, killing eight people.

Another 32 were injured on Saturday (May 16) after the train hit the bus at a level crossing, igniting a fire that engulfed the vehicle, rescue officials and a deputy transport minister said.

Commuters familiar with the route said they had always feared the collision would eventually happen, as traffic kept passing through the crossing despite stop signals from railway staff.

"It should not have happened. I want all drivers to know traffic laws properly," said Thanphisit Nawatkonoangkoon, a 20-year-old train commuter.

Thailand's roads rank among the world's deadliest due to weak enforcement of safety standards, according to the World Health Organization.

Production: Tananchai Keawsowattana, Napat Wesshasartar/Reuters