Colonel Sophon Phramaneehe stated, “It was a downhill road, and the brakes failed, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle, resulting in the overturning.” The casualties were reported to be adults on a study excursion.
The bus had a total of 49 occupants, all Thai nationals, including the driver, according to a police official speaking to Reuters.
Images circulating on social media depicted rescue teams and medical personnel assisting victims near the overturned bus in Prachinburi province, located 155km east of Bangkok, with its undercarriage visible.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra extended her sympathies to the families of the victims and assured that an investigation was underway.
“If any violations related to substandard vehicle usage or reckless driving are discovered, appropriate legal measures will be taken,” she mentioned in a statement on X.
She emphasized the importance of rigorous vehicle inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards before they are put into operation to prevent such incidents and minimize future losses.
Thailand has a high rate of road accidents and fatalities due to lax enforcement of vehicle safety regulations and inadequately maintained roads. According to the 2023 report of the World Health Organization, the country ranked ninth out of 175 member nations in terms of road traffic fatalities.
Notably, last year, a tragic incident occurred when a school bus caught fire due to a gas cylinder leak, resulting in the loss of 23 lives, including 16 students.
