King and Queen of Thailand send assistance to crane disaster victims

The King and Queen of Thailand have expressed deep concern and sent assistance following a crane collapse in Nakhon Ratchasima province.

On Wednesday, 14th January, a construction crane collapsed onto a passenger rail line in Si Khio District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, around 9 am, killing at least 32 people and injuring over 64 others, per the Ministry of Transport.

The crane was being used on an elevated high-speed rail project when it fell onto the Special Express Train No.21, which runs between Krung Thep Aphiwat and Ubon Ratchathani, connecting Bangkok, in northeastern Thailand. The collapse caused passengers to become trapped when fire started to engulf the damaged carriages. The State Railway of Thailand has formed a committee to investigate the accident.

King Rama X (Vajiralongkorn) and Queen Suthida were left distressed at being told of the deadly incident and asked to be kept fully informed on the situation. In response, the King has accepted all injured parties under his royal patronage. The King has also provided 20,000 baht per family for assistance with funeral arrangements and cremations.

Royal patronage involves assistance and care from the King and Queen in moments of anguish. Aide involves not just monetary donations but royal kitchens in areas of disaster, rebuilding of homes affected by artillery fire, and wreaths from members of the royal family at funeral services. Most recently, the King and Queen have accepted the injured and deceased of the floods that struck southern Thailand this past December and during the border clashes in July 2025.