[cranekam]

This is more like it. The Thai rail network is not that extensive so trains probably aren’t part of daily life for that many. India has a huge rail network. In both cases, though, train tracks are much more accessible than in developed countries and it’s common to see trains clanking right past people walking along. In India people happily walk across tracks at stations and hang off the side of moving trains.

Compare this to the UK and Switzerland, two places I have lived with extensive rail networks. I can’t think of anywhere that the train tracks aren’t clearly separated from everything else — either by fencing or raised platforms or level crossings with barriers. I have never had to think “better look out for a train” living in these places.

Edit: Zurich does have a freight train that runs down an inner-city street a couple of times a day. It goes very slowly and has many staff monitoring:

https://youtu.be/RWT58TBAdEw