Pilgrimage bus crash near Khao Kitchakut claims a life, injures 9

[snoop1130]

 

A pilgrimage bus met a tragic fate today as it descended from the Khao Kitchakut mountain in Chanthaburi province, Thailand, veering off course and overturning. The calamitous incident claimed the life of one individual and left nine others with injuries, including three foreigners.

 

The accident occurred close to a toll station when the bus, filled with worshippers returning from a sacred site, lost control on a curve and capsized. Following the crash, emergency responders rapidly intervened, evacuating the wounded from the steep terrain and dispersing them to various medical facilities, including Phra Pokklao Hospital and Khitchakut Hospital, reported KhaoSod.

 

During this period, Khao Kitchakut opens its doors to the public for religious activities. The mountain, renowned for its religious significance, has been welcoming devotees since early February, offering a spiritual retreat and a chance to pay homage at the sacred site. The devotees aboard the ill-fated bus had just completed their pilgrimage and were on their way back when they met with the unfortunate event.

 

In related news, on February 23, tragedy struck in Bo Phloi district, Kanchanaburi, as a tour bus veered off course, injuring numerous Malaysian tourists and locals. The accident occurred between kilometre markers 14 and 15 on the Bo Phloi-Lat Ya Road, triggering a rapid response from authorities. All 39 passengers aboard, predominantly Malaysian nationals, suffered injuries, with several in critical condition.

 

Over 20 ambulances rushed to the scene, swiftly transporting the wounded to Bo Phloi Hospital for urgent medical attention. The bus, displaying Bangkok license plates, bore significant damage, including shredded rear tyres and a shattered windscreen.

 

The driver, Sarayu Daengdam, attributed the accident to a steering malfunction while attempting to overtake a truck. This tragic incident underscores the inherent risks associated with tourist travel. Similarly, on January 16, a bus carrying Chinese  tourists crashed in Tha Chatchai, Phuket, further highlighting the importance of stringent safety measures within Thailand’s tourism industry.

 

By Nattapong Westwood

Caption: Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-02-29

 

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[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

A pilgrimage bus met a tragic fate today

Met a Thai suicide jockey... 

[Georgealbert]

This transport is just bench seats on the.back of a pick up truck. The route is a steep dirt road up and down the mountain. Passengers in the back have no protection in an accident.

 

The mountain is only open about 12 weeks a year, and the transport up and down is 24 hours a day. Once you are dropped off at the top, it is still a hard 30 - 45 minute walk to the shrine.

 

There are accidents every year, but the mountain is still vary popular and gets very busy, with possible waits of a few hours to get on one of the trucks, at the busier times.

 

Edited March 1 by Georgealbert

[gomangosteen]

^ open eight weeks each year, open Feb 10, closes April 9 2024.

 

Bookings required online, reserve a queue number in advance via the KCKQue application, done in blocks of six hours with limits of 6,000 per 6hr, yes that's right maximum capacity is 24,000 per day.

 

Most popular is midnight to 6am to see the sunrise before descending.

 

There is a fleet of 4wd pickups to shuttle people up/down. We first went in 2012 it was relatively quiet midweek.

 

Would like to go again it's only 30km from us, but daughter went last year her experience enough to put us off, hours of waiting, overcrowded as multiple coach tours arrive from Bangkok and beyond, and crazy pickup drivers hurrying to collect their next load of passengers.

 

 

Edited March 1 by gomangosteen

[smedly]

another one

 

RIP

[digger70]

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

veering off course and overturning.

lost control on a curve and capsized. 

 

Rip.    I guess this is self explanatory.

[Georgealbert]

This shows the route, after a drop of rain.

 

 

[Georgealbert]

19 hours ago, gomangosteen said:

^ open eight weeks each year, open Feb 10, closes April 9 2024.

 

Bookings required online, reserve a queue number in advance via the KCKQue application, done in blocks of six hours with limits of 6,000 per 6hr, yes that's right maximum capacity is 24,000 per day.

 

Most popular is midnight to 6am to see the sunrise before descending.

 

There is a fleet of 4wd pickups to shuttle people up/down. We first went in 2012 it was relatively quiet midweek.

 

Would like to go again it's only 30km from us, but daughter went last year her experience enough to put us off, hours of waiting, overcrowded as multiple coach tours arrive from Bangkok and beyond, and crazy pickup drivers hurrying to collect their next load of passengers.

 

 

Very good summary, seems to get busier every year.

 

Been up a few times, even walked all the way from the bottom once.

[Georgealbert]

A friend sent me this clip, after discussing the accident.

 

For those that never experienced it, this is what it is like when busy. Remember this goes on for 24 hours a day.

[gomangosteen]

Photos of the accident scene from Facebook; not on one of the steeper sections; rolling like that it's almost a surprise more than one didn't die.

 

 

 

 

Back on its wheels showing the passenger seating

 

[stargrazer9889]

A other stupid driver, going too fast down hill on a gravel road. Overtaking a other vehicle

caused another unessessary accident. TIT. Note there are many good drivers who have 

vans and buses driving around, do your research, and you will be

a lot safer. IMO

[LennyW]

That tyres are totally unsuitable for that terrain!! Whover allowed that vehicle to operate there needs to be talked to!!

Edited March 3 by LennyW

[LennyW]

I went there a couple of times around 19, 20 years ago, the pick-up trips were the same but it was not so crowded. I went back last year with the intention of going up again, however, there was a few hundred coaches there and thousands of cars, the whole place just looked like total chaos!! i just about turned and left!