Thailand Bus Accident Claims 18 Lives in Prachin Buri – Authorities Investigate Cause

The tragic Thailand bus accident today in Prachin Buri is part of a larger, concerning trend. The bus accident adds to Thailand’s alarming road safety record.

The tragic bus accident in Thailand is part of a larger, concerning trend. The Prachin Buri bus accident today adds to Thailand’s already alarming road safety record.
Source: X/@ICR360

In the early hours of Wednesday, a tragic bus accident in Thailand claimed 18 lives and left many others injured in Prachin Buri, a province east of Bangkok.

The tragedy struck when a double-decker bus, carrying people on a community study tour, lost control on a downhill stretch after what is believed to be a brake failure.

The bus, one of three vehicles transporting around 200 individuals from Bueng Kan province near the Mekong River to Rayong, overturned on Highway 304.

With at least 49 passengers onboard, the bus accident resulted in 18 fatalities, and around 32 others sustained injuries, according to local news reports from the Bangkok Post.

Officials from the Prachin Buri Road Safety Center stated that the Thailand bus accident occurred at approximately 3:20 AM near kilometer marker 210-500 on the highway.

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Cause of the Thailand Bus Accident

Officials from the Prachin Buri Road Safety Center stated that the driver lost control as the bus descended the slope, causing it to veer off the road and roll down the embankment.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Siwapass Phuripatchaiboonchu confirmed that 17 people died at the scene, while another passenger passed away later in the hospital.

The bus driver stated that the brakes failed as the vehicle was descending the hill. Local police are currently investigating the incident, and the driver has been taken into custody for questioning in connection with the bus accident in Prachin Buri.

Survivors have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, with some being in critical condition.

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Insurance Coverage for Victims

The bus involved in the Thailand bus accident today was insured under a compulsory accident insurance policy with a compensation limit of 10 million baht. The insurance company will pay 50,000 baht to the family of each deceased victim and 50,000 baht for the medical fees of each injured passenger.

Additionally, the Transport Ministry has announced that an investigation will focus on vehicle safety and the overall condition of buses, including this one, which was licensed until December 17, 2028.

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Minister Orders Investigation

In the wake of the bus the Thailand bus accident today, the Transport Ministry has ordered an immediate investigation.

Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote stated that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit are determined to uncover the cause of the bus accident in Thailand today.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra extended her condolences to the families of the victims and assured the public that an investigation was underway, focusing on vehicle safety.

She stated in a post on X, “If it’s determined that the vehicle was not up to safety standards or was used recklessly, legal action will be pursued.”

The Land Transport Department is collaborating with the police to investigate and ensure that the buses used for chartered services undergo regular safety checks.

The department will also summon the bus owner, Boonthan Chatree, to testify regarding the condition of the vehicle involved. If any safety regulations are violated, legal action will be taken against those responsible.

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Thailand’s Road Safety Crisis

The tragic bus accident in Thailand is part of a larger, concerning trend. The Prachin Buri bus accident today adds to Thailand’s already alarming road safety record.

In a similar incident just months before, a school bus in Bangkok caught fire, killing 23 people, many of them children.

The nation ranks among the highest in road fatalities globally, with approximately 20,000 deaths every year according to the World Health Organization. The country ranked ninth out of 175 WHO member nations for road traffic deaths in 2023.

Unsafe vehicles, poorly maintained roads, and reckless driving are the primary factors contributing to this grim statistic.

The government is under increasing pressure to address these issues by improving vehicle inspections, enforcing traffic laws, and encouraging the use of safer, well-maintained buses. This most recent bus accident in Prachin Buri has highlighted the urgent need for reform.