Minivan, bus and road accidents

[Big Boy]

And another bus goes up in smoke, with 7 fatalities this time.

Seven killed when tour bus crashes, catches fire

PRACHIN BURI - Seven people were confirmed killed and 20 injured early Monday when their bus crashed into two lorries in an accident blamed on malfunctioning brakes.

The bus caught fire after the accident.

Pol Lt Col Siwaphas Phuripaschaiboonchu, inspector at Wang Khondaeng police station, said the bus was travelling from Nong Khai to Rayong. It rear-ended the two trucks on hilly highway 304 in Na Di district around 2am.

He said seven people were confirmed dead at the scene, including the bus driver and his relief driver, and at least 20 passengers suffered injuries.

A preliminary investigation found the fatal accident could have been due to malfunctioning brakes on the interprovincial bus, Pol Lt Col Siwaphas said.

The bus was operated by 407 Pattana Co, which has a poor safety record.

Trucker Lamsant Phuangphu said he was following behind the bus as it descended the hill road at an unusually high speed before hitting the two lorries in front of it.

Mr Lamsant said he and other motorists stopped to help passengers escape the bus, which caught fire after the crash.

On Feb 26, an accident on the same stretch of road claimed the lives of 17 local government employees from Phon Charoen district in Bung Kan, and injured 40 others. They were on a study trip to Rayong when the bus overturned.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... tches-fire

[Big Boy]

Another one, in Ayutthaya this time according to Khaosod English. No casualties.

Bus.jpg (72.41 KiB) Viewed 2281 times

[Big Boy]

Ouch, a bit close to home. My daughter was on that bus 6 days ago

Google Translation........

Rayong-Mukdahan tour bus falls into the middle of the road in front of the Border Patrol Police camp in Prachuap Khiri Khan, tragically killing 2 and injuring many
In the early morning of June 4, 2025 at approximately 4:30 a.m., a Rayong-Mukdahan tour bus lost control and fell into the median strip of Phetkasem Road in front of the Phra Mongkutklao Camp, Border Patrol Police Division 14 (BPP14), Tambon Huai Sai, Mueang District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, resulting in 2 deaths at the scene and several injuries.
Pol. Lt. Thanaphop Noi Muenwai, Deputy Investigation Officer, Khlong Wan Police Station, received the report and along with Prachuap Khiri Khan Highway Police officers, Sawang Rung Ruang Thap Sakae Foundation Rescue Unit, Huai Sai Subdistrict Administrative Organization Rescue Unit, Sawang Prachuap Thammasathan Foundation Rescue Unit, Prachuap Khiri Khan Highway Police Rescue Unit, and Prachuap Khiri Khan Hospital Rescue Unit And officers from many agencies rushed to help the injured immediately after being notified.
From the inspection of the scene, it was found that a yellow tour bus, registration number 10-5855 Chonburi, fell into the median strip at kilometer 327, hitting an electric pole and a guardrail plate. The front of the car was severely damaged. The right side of the car was tilted in the median strip. There were 2 dead men and many injured people who were transported to Prachuap Khiri Khan Hospital.
Information from the officers indicated that the bus had a total of 31 passengers who bought tickets at the origin, 3 of whom did not get on the bus, and 2 of whom got off at Hua Hin District. There were 26 people left on the bus at the time of the accident, consisting of 2 dead, 5 seriously injured, 8 injured who needed to be monitored, and 11 slightly injured.
Mr. Thotsaporn (surname withheld), aged 51, admitted that he was the second driver who had just changed to drive from the rest stop in Hua Hin District. The destination was Donsak, Surat Thani Province.
Initially, the officers are investigating to find the real cause of the accident. As for the passengers who were slightly injured and did not want to receive treatment, The bus company has arranged a new car to pick up and take them to their destination. Cr. Photo: Prachuap Khiri Khan Highway Police Rescue

I can only find Thai links.

1.jpg (78.77 KiB) Viewed 842 times

[Big Boy]

Here's an English link https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... lls-asleep?

[buksida]

A Bangkok-Phuket passenger bus skidded off Petchkasem Road around 8:00 PM on July 8, carrying 28 passengers of Thai and foreign nationalities along with 2 drivers.

The accident occurred at kilometer 151-560 on the southbound lane in Hua Saphan Subdistrict, Mueang Phetchaburi District, Phetchaburi Province.

Police from Phetchaburi City Station responded to the emergency call at 8:30 PM. Upon arrival, they found passengers breaking windows to escape from the overturned vehicle. Rescue workers and local volunteers quickly assisted in evacuating the passengers and providing immediate first aid treatment.

Eleven passengers sustained injuries and were transported to the hospital for treatment, while the bus company arranged a replacement vehicle to continue the journey for those who were unharmed.

Source: Khaosod English

[Big Boy]

Unbelievable, these buses were banned from these routes for safety reasons. Now the same buses are being allowed back on the same roads with steep inclines and an accident history involving large vehicles. Nothing has changed, so why? The dangers are still there.

Thai Government to Temporarily Lift Ban on Double Decker Buses on High Risk Routes

The Thai government has announced a plan to temporarily lift the ban on double-decker buses along six steep and high-risk routes, allowing operations for 180 days beginning July 21st, under strict safety regulations. The move, overseen by the Department of Land Transport (DLT), aims to assess whether enhanced safety protocols can enable safer use of these vehicles on challenging terrain.

The six routes now open to double-decker buses include Highway No. 4 (Khao Phap Pha to Phatthalung), Highway No. 103 (Mae Yang Ho to Mae Teeb), Highway No. 118 (Chiang Mai to Doi Nang Kaew), Highway No. 2013 (Bo Pho to Khok Ngam), Highway No. 2331 (Cho Hoa to Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park), and Highway No. 1256 (Pua to Doi Phu Kha National Park). These roads were previously restricted due to steep inclines and accident history involving large vehicles.

Operators must meet several safety conditions before using the routes. Buses must pass a comprehensive inspection at the DLT or provincial offices, with special attention given to braking systems, including air brakes. Drivers are required to complete a two-hour online training course on operating large vehicles on steep slopes. Strict compliance with posted speed limits is mandatory throughout all segments of the permitted routes.

Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2025/07/13/t ... sk-routes/

[Dannie Boy]

There are at least a number of safeguards being introduced at the same time - that potentially makes them safer than conventional buses?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Big Boy]

The building of these death traps was banned in Thailand in 2018. What miracle improvements have suddenly been made to these ageing vehicles to suddenly make them safe enough to travel on some of Thailand's most dangerous roads once again?

[Dannie Boy]

As I inferred above, at least these vehicles and its drivers will be subject to numerous safety protocols, whereas there is no indication that more conventional vehicles will be affected, so any current shortcomings will continue.

Quite probably, none of the existing methods of transportation would meet stricter western standards but that’s a much bigger issue and one that never seems to get addressed.