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Driver in fatal train-bus crash admits meth, cannabis use

11 Sept 10:45 Key points summarised by AI

The train driver involved in a fatal Bangkok crash, which killed eight people, admitted to regularly using methamphetamine and cannabis, although he claimed his last use was 10 days before the incident.
Police are skeptical of the driver's claims, citing his prior drug-related charges, and have charged both the train driver and a railway crossing signal operator with reckless driving and negligence.
Investigators are actively verifying information, inspecting all railway crossings, reconstructing the accident scene, and analyzing the train's 'black box' data due to conflicting statements from the suspects.
Preliminary findings also reveal that no train drivers in Thailand currently hold official licenses from the Department of Rail Transport, prompting a review of railway authorization standards.

Today 14:58 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's government will launch the "Chainat-Pasak-Gulf" water diversion canal project in fiscal year 2027, a seven-year mega-infrastructure initiative.
This permanent structural solution aims to mitigate recurrent central plains flooding by diverting water from the Chao Phraya River directly into the Gulf of Thailand, significantly reducing flow to major cities like Ayutthaya and Bangkok.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul justifies the long-term investment as a means to reduce future damages and fiscal burdens, contrasting it with the 40-50 billion baht spent annually on short-term flood relief.
Concurrently, the Prime Minister instructed officials to expand drainage capacity into the Tha Chin River and swiftly remove water hyacinths to improve immediate flood management.