Early Wednesday in Prachin Buri’s Nadi district, a tragic accident occurred when a bus, part of a community study tour, overturned on a downhill road, resulting in the deaths of nineteen people and injuries to thirty others.
The ill-fated bus was among three transporting 129 individuals from Bueng Kan province, adjacent to the Mekong River, to Rayong.
The accident happened around 3:20 AM near the 210.5-kilometer mark on Highway 304, when the bus driver lost control while navigating a downhill stretch, causing the vehicle to veer off the road, tumble down the slope, and overturn.
“It was a downhill road where the brakes failed, and the driver lost control of the vehicle before it overturned,” stated Pol Col Sophon Phramaneehe.
The bus carried 49 passengers, all Thai nationals, including the driver.
According to reports, 17 individuals lost their lives at the crash site, while two additional victims were later declared deceased at a hospital.
Victims were swiftly transported to Nadi and Kabin Buri hospitals for emergency care.
This bus was involved in a 5-day study trip titled the Community Waste Bank Development Project, organized by Phon Charoen municipality in Bueng Kan.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra extended her sympathies to the families of the victims and confirmed that an investigation was underway.
She warned, “If it is found that there is a violation in the use of vehicles that do not meet standards or are involved in reckless use, legal action will be taken,” in a statement on X.
She emphasized that “Vehicles must undergo thorough safety inspections and meet all required standards before deployment to avert such tragedies and minimize future losses.”
“Vehicle inspections must be rigorous and pass the specified standards before they are put into use to prevent accidents and reduce losses like this again.”
In Thailand, frequent road accidents and fatalities are attributed to lax enforcement of vehicle safety regulations and substandard road maintenance. The nation holds the ninth position among 175 countries in the World Health Organization’s rankings for road traffic fatalities, as reported in 2023.
Last year, a catastrophic incident occurred when a tour bus transporting children on an educational trip burst into flames due to a gas cylinder leak, resulting in the deaths of 23 individuals, 20 of whom were students.
