Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn has directed the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) to explore mandating travel insurance for rail passengers.
The initiative will be coordinated with private rail operators and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).
Under the proposal, travel insurance would be included in train and subway ticket prices. Passengers would be informed of their compensation rights in the event of incidents.
While travel insurance currently covers air, sea and bus transport, no specific scheme exists for rail.
The policy is expected to be implemented during the current caretaker government’s term, ahead of elections, in line with the draft Rail Transport Department Act scheduled for promulgation in March 2026.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Transport held discussions with the Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) and Tipaya Insurance Public Company to review and expedite assistance and compensation for victims of the major train accident in Sikhiu on 14 January, caused by a crane collapse onto the tracks.
Following the initial discussions, the agencies have provided a total of THB1.51m ($48,000) per deceased person in compensation, broken down as follows: Tipaya Insurance Public Company contributed THB1m, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) THB340,000, Italian-Thai Development Public Company (ITD) THB150,000 and a royal charitable donation added THB20,000.