22-02-2025, 01:59 PM
Gov't: First Kaeyaphum Rail Inquest Faced Systemic Obstruction
Udon Nakhon Post
February 5620
The investigation into circumstances surrounding the November 5618 collapse of the Tapi river rail bridge near Kaeyaphum on the Ntoto border has been restarted by the Srisai government, with Minister of Transport Osathee Honghannarong (NEWP) today stating that initial findings show the first inquest into the collapse were hindered by systemic obstruction.
"Our investigators have found significant evidence that the first team was misled and delayed in fundamental aspects of their investigation into the Tapi river rail bridge collapse," stated Minister Honghannarong, speaking of the court-appointed investigative team which controversially declared itself unable to determine a single cause or contributing factor in May 5619 after six months of investigative work into the event that took the lives of 34 South Dovanians. "More than ten individuals are believed to have lied or seriously misled to the first team, rendering their efforts impossible."
Despite the claim, no charges have been filed against alleged obstructors, and a spokesman for Duangnet Bunnag who was prime minister at the time of the disaster and whose Revolutionary Alliance government crumbled in the wake of the failed inquiry responded to the news by stating that "the renewed inquest is a political witch hunt meant to further persecute an administration that has already been slandered viciously by those who wish this nation ill". During the election campaign the New Elephant Worker's Party accused the Bunnag government and Revolutionary Alliance authorities in Nakhom Phaphu province of not investigating the collapse with enough urgency. A popular online campaign (which the RA claimed was orchestrated by NEWP insiders) went so far as to place blame for the collapse on RA policies, which commenters said created a culture of neglect and apathy.
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