A tragic fire engulfed a school bus carrying students and teachers in suburban Bangkok on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, resulting in the deaths of at least 23 people. According to reports from Fire & Rescue Thailand and Thai PBS, the bus, which was transporting 39 students and six teachers from Wat Khao Praya Sangkharam in Uthai Thani for an educational trip, caught fire while traveling along inbound Phahon Yothin Road near the Zeer Rangsit shopping mall at approximately 12:30 p.m.
The fire spread rapidly, leaving many passengers trapped. Early reports, cited by Jor Sor 100 traffic radio, indicated that some passengers died or were injured, and the final death toll was confirmed by police to be 23. The bus was headed toward Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi provinces, though the exact destination remained unclear.
Delayed Recovery and Mourning Families
The vehicle, fueled by natural gas, remained too hot for hours, delaying rescue and recovery operations. According to Trairong Phiwpan, head of the police forensic department, recovery efforts resumed after the bus cooled, leading to the retrieval of 23 bodies. Families of the victims arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday to provide DNA samples at the Police General Hospital for victim identification, as reported by AP News.
Driver Arrested and Charged
The bus driver, Saman Chanput, surrendered to police hours after the accident. AP News reported that Saman faces multiple charges, including reckless driving causing deaths and injuries, failure to assist the passengers, and failure to report the accident. According to the driver’s account, as reported by Chayanont Meesati, deputy regional police chief, the bus lost balance due to an issue with the front right tire, collided with another vehicle, and scraped a concrete barrier, sparking the fire.
Saman said he initially attempted to use a fire extinguisher but fled when he couldn’t contain the blaze, panicking in the chaos. Authorities are now investigating whether the bus company complied with safety regulations.
Bus Company Under Scrutiny
In an interview with Thai PBS, the bus company’s owner, Songwit Chinnaboot, stated that the vehicle had passed the required safety inspections, including checks on the gas cylinders. Despite this, authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident to ensure all safety protocols were followed.
Songwit expressed deep regret over the tragedy and pledged to compensate the victims’ families.
Injured Survivors
As reported by Fire & Rescue Thailand, three students remain hospitalized, with two in critical condition. A 7-year-old girl is among the severely injured, suffering burns on her face. Doctors are working hard to save her eyesight.
A Nation Grieves
The tragic incident has left Thailand in mourning, as families cope with the devastating loss of young lives. The investigation into the driver and the bus company will continue as the nation seeks accountability for this avoidable tragedy.
As Thailand reels from this heartbreaking event, the accident raises questions about road safety and the standards of public transportation across the country.
