Six Pattani FC fans killed in crane collapse on train in Korat

The Thai football community has expressed condolences after six supporters of Pattani FC, travelling to cheer for their team at an away match against Buri Ram United, were killed in a deadly rail accident in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday morning.

Pattani FC said in a statement that the fans were on their way to Buri Ram province for the match scheduled for yesterday afternoon when a construction crane collapsed onto their train in Sikhio district.

The six Pattani FC supporters were among at least 32 people killed in the incident.

“On behalf of Pattani FC, we would like to express our deepest condolences to our brother and sister Pattani FC fans following the tragic crane collapse,” the club said in a social media post.

“Our supporters were travelling to support the team in Buri Ram but passed away before reaching their destination,” it said.

The club added that its executives are urgently coordinating with relevant agencies to return the bodies of the deceased supporters to their hometowns.

The Football Association of Thailand also issued a statement expressing profound sympathy for the victims and their families. The association said it mourns the loss of life in the crane collapse, which left many passengers injured or dead, including Pattani FC supporters travelling to the match.

“We send our strength to all bereaved families and hope that those affected can overcome this difficult time as soon as possible,” the association said.

Buri Ram United also conveyed its condolences to Pattani FC and its supporters. In a statement, club president Newin Chidchob said the incident was the result of negligence and a lack of responsibility by the construction company, alleging that safety regulations were violated while construction work was being carried out as trains passed underneath.

He called on the State Railway of Thailand to provide appropriate compensation to the families of the deceased and all injured passengers, saying that the tragedy occurred while passengers were using railway services and therefore falls under the agency’s responsibility.

As a gesture of solidarity and to honour the long-standing friendship between the two clubs, Newin said Buri Ram United would travel to play a pre-season friendly match against Pattani FC during the 2026–2027 season.

“I would like to express my deepest condolences and pay tribute to those who lost their lives,” he said.