Train derails in Thai North, over 30 passengers injured

BANGKOK, July 17 (TNA) - More than 30 passengers were injured when their Bangkok-Chiang Mai special express train derailed in Den Chai district of Phrae province in the Thai North on Wednesday morning. Nuan-anong Wongjan, public relations chief of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), told reporters that the accident occurred at about 3:45am when seven bogies, comprising five second-class air-conditioned sleeping cars, one first-class sleeping car and one air-conditioned dining car, went off the rail tracks. Nuan-anong acknowledged that the incident has caused the SRT to cancel three north-bound trains, resulting in their delays for the time being. Nuan-anong said rescued trains from Lampang and Uttaradit provinces have been deployed for the salvage, while the injured passengers were sent to local hospitals. The SRT has, in the meantime, operated its free train number 109 from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, departing at 12.45pm and reached only Den Chai, whereas affected passengers can also seek full refunds from the SRT. (TNA)