Bangkok Subway Crash (from ATSNN), page 1

Nearly 140 people were injured Monday in Bangkok when the citys new multi-billion dollar subway crashed. The crash involved a "parked" subway carrier with about 700 people on it and an empty subway; how the empty subway became operational on the track is at this time unknown.

www.washingtonpost.com
Nearly 140 Hurt in Bangkok Subway Crash

By Saowalak Ouyporn
Reuters
Monday, January 17, 2005; 2:32 AM

BANGKOK - Nearly 140 people were injured on Monday in a rush-hour crash on Bangkok's new, $2.8 billion underground train system, which has been fully open for less than six months.

The crash, the first on the single-route, Bangkok Metro Co. subway that opened in August, occurred when an empty train collided with a crowded train stopped at the Thai Cultural Centre station in the heart of the capital.

About 700 passengers were on board, officials said.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

The subway is still fairly new, so the crash is somewhat of a shock. No people have been reported killed, but many were injured in what is a very strange accident. The article doesn't mention whether or not the empty subway had a conductor, important information to have. Overall, a disappointment, for an economy that, despite its human rights record, is attempting to improve the quality of life for its citizens(or the ones who can afford it, anyway).

Customer confidence will be an issue as it really looks like maintenance error.