20 killed on temple trip in Thailand as bus, train collide

A bus heading to a Buddhist temple collided with a train in central Thailand yesterday, killing at least 20 people dead and injuring 30, authorities said. The accident took place at 8:05 am near the Khlong Kwaeng Klan railway station 63 km east of Bangkok, said Maitree Tritilanon, governor of Chachoengsao province, where the crash occurred. A tour bus carrying some 60 factory workers on their way to a Buddhist ceremony at a temple was crossing a railway track when it was hit by a freight train headed to the capital from the east of the country. Governor Maitree said the crossing has an alarm but does no barrier to block traffic when a train is coming. He said the province will install speed bumps and barriers as well as cut down trees near the crossing to improve visibility.