Female red line train driver suspended after viral screaming clip

A female driver of a Red Line suburban train has been suspended from duty pending an investigation into a viral video clip, in which multiple screams are heard coming from the driver’s cabin while she was operating the train between Rangsit station and the Krungthep Apiwat Terminal yesterday.

Pichet Kunadhamraks, director-general of the Department of Rail Transport, said he has instructed the operator of the Red Line to investigate the incident.

The driver has been temporarily suspended until the investigation is completed, and her operating licence will be reviewed.

The case came to light after a passenger recorded a video clip and shared it on social media platforms.

Pichet said an initial report showed the incident occurred at about 2.30pm on April 7, on a Red Line train departing from Rangsit and approaching Don Mueang station.

Repeated screams were heard coming from the driver’s cabin. A male passenger approached and knocked on the locked cabin door, asking whether everything was all right. The screams then stopped.

Despite the incident, the driver continued to operate the train to its final destination.

The passenger who shared the clip said the screams were haunting, particularly because no one knew why the driver was screaming while operating the train.

Pichet said that, following the report, officials immediately coordinated with SRT Electrified Train Co., Ltd., the operator of the Red Line service, to launch an investigation.

Preliminary findings show the driver had been on duty from 7am to 3pm on the day of the incident, with the affected journey being her final trip.

Pichet said the behaviour is believed to have been linked to personal issues and accumulated work-related stress.

The department noted that current requirements for SRT Electrified Train drivers do not include mandatory mental health screening prior to employment. Routine pre-duty checks are, however, conducted before each shift.

The department has also instructed the operator to strengthen procedures for assessing drivers’ readiness, including both physical and mental health, and to report its findings once the investigation is complete.