PRACHINBURI, Feb 27 (TNA) – A tour bus carrying municipal workers on a study trip overturned in Prachinburi province, east of Bangkok, early Monday, resulting in 18 deaths and 31 injuries, officials said.
Authorities are providing support to the families of the deceased and injured, including financial aid and psychological counseling.
The bus, carrying 47 officials from Phrom Charoen Municipality in Bueng Kan province, was en route to Rayong province for a study tour focused on community waste management when the accident occurred on the Khao Sal Pu Thon section of Highway 304, an area notorious for its steep inclines and sharp curves.
According to reports, the bus lost control while descending the hill at approximately 3:00 AM, overturning and causing extensive damage. Rescue workers faced a challenging operation to extract passengers trapped within the wreckage. 16 people were pronounced dead at the scene, with two more succumbing to their injuries at nearby hospitals.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. The investigation will focus on the condition of the bus, the driver’s actions, and adherence to safety regulations. She has also called for strict legal action against any parties found to have violated safety standards.
Initial reports indicate the bus had passed a vehicle inspection in late January, and two drivers were rotating shifts every four hours. However, investigators are awaiting further analysis from experts and forensic teams to determine the precise cause of the crash.
Highway 304, particularly the Khao Sal Pu Thon section, has a history of accidents due to its challenging terrain. Statistics indicate that there were 91 accidents on the highway during 2023-2024.
Following a deadly bus crash, Deputy Interior Minister Songsak Thongsri inspected the accident site. He acknowledged multiple problems, particularly the steep 6-kilometer downhill stretch. He plans to discuss increasing rest stops and emergency parking areas with the Ministry of Transport. However, he emphasized that driver negligence is often a significant factor in such accidents.
Initial investigations suggest that the bus driver sped downhill and experienced brake failure possibly due to depleted air pressure. The driver bypassed a mandatory rest stop designed for brake cooling and vehicle checks, a rule applicable for vehicles with 6 wheels or more which many truck drivers were also observed to ignore. – 819 (TNA)
