(Photo: Pink Line operator)
The transport minister has issued strict disciplinary actions against the Pink Line operator due to a hair-raising incident involving a commuter’s bag and an errant train door. The incident, described as a serious lapse in safety protocols, has prompted immediate measures to address the situation.
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, speaking on Sunday, confirmed that the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) would hold Northern Bangkok Monorail Co (NBM) accountable for the startling occurrence on the Pink Line, which connects Khae Rai in Nonthaburi to Min Buri in northern Bangkok.
“The safety of public transportation is paramount and non-negotiable,” asserted Mr. Suriya, echoing the public’s concern over the dangerous lapse in protocol. Acting MRTA Governor Vithaya Punmongkol added that the MRTA had authorised disciplinary actions against NBM, pointing out the significant security risks posed to passengers.
According to NBM, the troubling episode took place at 7:01 AM on Thursday. As electric train number 10 departed from the Lat Pla Khao station en route to Nonthaburi, staff onboard heard a persistent, ominous thumping. This led to an emergency halt and a quick report to the Pink Line control center. Upon investigation, it was discovered that a commuter’s bag had been trapped outside, caught in a closed carriage door.
The appointed control team instructed the train staff to manually unlock the door with a key. However, the stubborn door refused to budge. The control then ordered the staff to deactivate the automatic system and take over manual control to navigate back to the station, where they planned to safely retrieve the bag.
Yet, in a surprising twist, the staff prematurely opened the door before the train could return to the station. This error introduced a risky situation where passengers were exposed to a dangerous open-air view down to the ground, sans platform.
Video footage circulating on social media shows accounts of the ordeal from July 4, 2024. Witness footage captured the door hanging open in midair, evoking gasps from concerned viewers online. The clip quickly went viral as netizens shared and commented, alarmed by the potential hazards captured in the heart-stopping footage.
@bangkokpost.official This morning (July 4, 2024), a passenger on the MRT pink line filmed the moment that the MRT door left open in mid-air, showing a frightening scene from above. #train #skytrain #pinkline #transport#thailand #ข่าวtiktok #เทรนด์วันนี้ #เทรนด์วันนี้มาแรง #เทรนด์วันนี้tiktok #viraltiktok #accident #malfunction #error
♬ original sound – Bangkok Post
In response to the alarming breach, Mr. Suriya has mandated that all Pink Line services undergo rigorous safety checks and that additional training be provided to staff to avoid such missteps in the future. “Our priority is the safety and well-being of our passengers. Incidents like these must be prevented with the utmost diligence,” he proclaimed.
The narrative serves as a stark reminder of the vital importance of comprehensive safety protocols in public transportation. Passengers can only hope that, moving forward, the MRTA and NBM will enhance their commitment to creating a secure and reliable transportation environment.
This incident is deeply troubling. The level of negligence is unacceptable. How can we trust public transportation if basic safety protocols aren’t followed?
Totally agree. I’ve been skeptical of the Pink Line’s safety measures for a while. This just confirms my worst fears.
Honestly, it’s unsettling to think that something so simple could go so wrong. They need to make some real changes.
Absolutely, Sophie. If they don’t, more lives could be put at risk.
Accidents happen. The important thing is how they handle it moving forward. Blaming doesn’t help.
While I understand your point, Ahmed, accountability is crucial. It ensures such events don’t recur.
It sounds like they need better training. How can someone open the door mid-air?
Exactly. It’s baffling. This is basic common sense, not just training.
True, Jasmine. There’s a deeper issue here than just a lack of training.
Mistakes like these make me think twice about using public transport.
Same here, it’s really scary to think that we can’t rely on these systems to be safe.
Interesting how they always react after something bad happens. Where was the proactive safety planning?
That’s the problem with most bureaucracies. They are reactive instead of proactive.
Exactly. And now, commuters are paying the price for their complacency.
I bet they are going to sweep this under the rug with more superficial changes. Real reform is needed.
Totally. They’ll do some PR and call it a day. But the danger remains.
Exactly, Mary. Just hope it doesn’t take another incident for real action to happen.
This is unacceptable. Heads should roll for this kind of negligence.
Government oversight is sorely needed here. It’s plain as day that private operators can’t be trusted.
Sounds like a freak accident to me. Not sure if we need to overreact.
Mila, it’s not overreacting to demand safety. Would you feel the same if you or a loved one were on that train?
I use the Pink Line daily. This story terrifies me.
Public transit is vital but only if it’s safe. This needs urgent attention.
Public transportation should be encouraged, but not at the cost of safety. This is a grave matter.
Are we over-relying on automated systems? Seems like the human element is still crucial.
I don’t understand why they didn’t fix the door before moving the train. Huge oversight!
I hope this doesn’t deter people from using public transport. We need it to reduce traffic and pollution.
Mistakes happen, but this could have been fatal. Immediate reforms are essential.