School Bus Fire Claims Multiple Lives and Injures Young Students in Rangsit

[NorthernRyland]

Now I have another reason fear riding buses in Thailand. Rest in peace  little ones.

[buriram39]

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

100% agree - no ‘public use’ vehicle should erupt into flames so quickly.

 

Front left blew out - what was the condition of the other tyres ? (Possible to tell or were they melted) 

Was it electric?

[anchadian]

The bus driver is still at large and an arrest warrant has been issued.

https://x.com/SaksithCNA/status/1841076835733647610

 

[Georgealbert]

This video sadly shows the intensity the fire reached before the first emergency responders could reach the bus.

 

The fire seems to have spread rapidly and the investigation will need to determine if this was partially or fully caused by any damage to the NGV system after the collision with the Benz and concrete barrier.

 

I also wonder if all the children were wearing seat belts and with the ratio of children to adults if this slowed any possible evacuation. Consideration also has to be given to where the bus ended up, in the outside lane, with teachers possibly concerned at first with the dangers of traffic, before becoming aware of the fire.

 

Looking at the pictures and videos, many of which are too horrific, it appears that some of the bodies are located in the seating areas, with also a build up of approximately 10 children at the rear emergency exit..

 

This evening after the bodies had been cleared from the bus, authorities were attempting to tow the bus from the scene, when a small secondary fire ignited. This was quickly extinguished by responders who were there standing-by, but is being reported that leaking gas caused this new fire.

 

A truly tragic incident, but the forensic investigation should be able to establish the cause of the fire and you can only hope that something is done to try to prevent this type of incident occurring again.

 

(This is my personal post, not part of the AN news team reporting)

 

[brfsa2]

Damn.  This is so tragic!
I can’t imagine the despair of the parents waiting to know if their little child is one that escaped or died on the fires. This is super sad.  
 

i’ve already cancelled all field trips for daughters. No more. 
Do you trust the life of your cold in hands of a Thai bus drivers and often untrained teachers? 

 

 

[koele2]

What kind of human being runs away when 6 year olds are burning on a bus?  

[john donson]

driver did a runner... no fire / emergency exists  ? fire extinguishers ? no hammers to break windows ?

 

rip poor kids

[josephbloggs]

44 minutes ago, buriram39 said:

Was it electric?

RTF article. This is no place for anti EV nonsense. Please go away, you are offensive and appalling.

[Cardano]

2 minutes ago, koele2 said:

What kind of human being runs away when 6 year olds are burning on a bus?  

A Thai bus driver who knows what the consequences will be if he stayed at the scene. Remember he is just a lowly employee of the company, has no say in operational and safety issues and earns a few hundred baht per day but when something like this happens then a scapegoat is needed, and the driver knows it.

[motdaeng]

RIP, it makes me feel sad, helpless and also angry. angry, because nothing will improve to prevent a future tragedy like this ... it will happen again and again ...

[josephbloggs]

2 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

I have to say I can't believe that picture is true. It must be from an old photo op, surely? The faces on those officials is just wrong. And the kids should be with their parents, and they don't have a speck of dust on them and they have chocolate milk etc.  I know Andrew McGregor Marshall posted it and I respect him but it all seems too much.

If it is real it is truly disgusting, absolutely appalling and disgraceful.

I think the picture s true. I have seen other ones with Paetongarn and that same scum bag is in them wearing the same clothes and ridiculous badges. Disgusting excuse for a human being.

[snoop1130]

Investigation of fatal school coach fire gets underway

 

 

Forensic investigators have started collecting evidence from the ill-fated double-decked coach that caught fire today, killing 22 school students and three teachers.

 

Officials were seen erecting temporary screens around the wreckage, to facilitate the forensic work, which will include the identification of the victims’ bodies.

 

They are mapping the seating plan on the coach to help identify the bodies, as most were burned beyond recognition.

 

Photo: Thai PBS World

 

Full story: Thai PBS World

-- 2024-10-01

 

 

[Srikcir]

According to senior researcher at the Thailand Development Research Institute Nichamon Thongphat, if a bus is catorized as an "informal" bus (not a public bus) it is not regulated by the Department of Land Transportation requiring registration.

I'd think that when used to transport vulnerable school children, such vehicle must be registered and annually inspected for children's safety.

 

The subject bus appears to be a "double decker."

Until a horrific fatality accident of a double decker bus in March 2018 in which 18 people were killed and more than 30 injured, operators of double decker buses were required to have LTD confirm safety standards. Following that accident LTD stopped accepting new registrations of double decker buses. "Land Transport Department to Stop Registering New Double-decker buses," April 2, 2018

https://www.huahintoday.com/

 

So was the subject bus unregistered? And as such uninsured?

 

 

 

[geisha]

There are no safety regulations in Thailand . Taxis,tuc tucs , vans , buses , cars , mini buses, they are all potential death traps.Thailands road accidents are a disgrace to all mankind. Wake up the lazy authorities who don’t give a damn about anything. Name and shame them all. Construction of the millions of condos, lifts, pavements, road crossings, traffic lights, cameras that are broken , please tell me something that is done well?
Lives do not matter to the government, authorities, or the police forces.

Shame on them all.

[kwilco]

1 hour ago, anchadian said:

(1/3) BREAKING: Just before the fatal bus carrying 44 students and teachers caught fire in Pathum Thani, it had sideswiped a black Mercedes-Benz that was traveling from Rangsit to Bangkok in the far right lane, shortly after noon on Tues.

 

(2/3) The insurance agent for the Mercedes revealed that the bus was moving from the middle lane and veered into their lane. It's believed this happened at the moment when one of the bus's tires exploded.

 

This caused the Mercedes to hit the center barrier and scrape along it for abt 100 meters. The Mercedes driver quickly braked. The driver quickly exited the vehicle. Meanwhile, the bus continued for about 400-500 meters before catching fire.

 

https://x.com/KhaosodEnglish/status/1841070198130163982

 

It isn't what cuased the acident that is im[ortant - it is what happened AFTER that that is so terrible.

[KhunBENQ]

4 hours ago, edwinchester said:

Busses should not burn that quickly trapping so many inside. If this bus is one of those fitted with a cheap gas conversion somebody has blood on their hands.

It's not the conversion to LPG that you might think of.

It's the often seen NGV (natural gas) conversion.

The cylinders have a pressure of more than 200 bar (2900 psi).

Many big trucks drive with a staple of these.

One time in the video there is a bang like an explosion probably from one of these cylinders.

[kwilco]

29 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

I think the picture s true. I have seen other ones with Paetongarn and that same scum bag is in them wearing the same clothes and ridiculous badges. Disgusting excuse for a human being.

Watch the series "Bangkok Breaking"

[Taboo2]

Sad, so very, very sad.  My heart goes out to those families. 

[KhunBENQ]

34 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

I think the picture s true. I have seen other ones with Paetongarn and that same scum bag is in them wearing the same clothes and ridiculous badges. Disgusting excuse for a human being.

It's a civil servant uniform like teachers and administrative officers wear.

The higher the rank the more the bling bling and the more golden.

If you find it disgusting, get used to it, it's Thailand.

They love uniforms, badges, stars and stripes and whatever.

[kwilco]

47 minutes ago, koele2 said:

What kind of human being runs away when 6 year olds are burning on a bus?  

you have no idea what went on - you are just making up stories to make yourself fell better - just hope the same never happens so you have to "prove" yourself.

[kwilco]

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

the tyre blew, probably way past their useful life

It's so sad that people seem to think they are so much better by making assumptions about an incident when there is no accident report or any evidence to support that opion a..it's just an opportunity for bigotry and racism. In fact it is THEY who are so inadequate

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, buriram39 said:

Was it electric?

 

No - but I've seen photos of the bus with LPG / LNG tanks.

 

There were also reports that the front left wheel had a blowout - this much seems correct. 

There were reports of an impact with a 'bridge' or one of the over-pass columns... this is not true, videos of the area show no possible impact point. 

 

Once a fire broke out - drive escaped leaving the kids in the van.

It was reported in Thai media that the teachers escaped (I'm guessing via the drivers door).

It was reported the main door would not open (kids were found piled up at the door).

 

There is a video with people / early 'arrivers at the scene' with a fire-extinguisher...   

20/20 hindsight suggests they should have used the extinguisher to smash the bus windows for the kids to escape.

 

 

One thing for sure - Driver doing a running - he needs to be burned a stake.

Teachers escaping before the kids (if true) - need to be burned a stake.

 

 

and of course.... any future legislation needs to be enforced really this time 

- No wooden bus frames

- No LNG / LGV public vehicles

- All such vehicles need a yearly MOT for road worthiness (tyres breaks etc).

 

 

 

So very very tragic - but as many issues in such events, so many issues to address.

 

The problem with pointinout out such issues before something happens is we are accused of being a 'crazed paranoid whakjob' or a trouble maker... 

 

 

Within the week, we'll have a another bus rolling down a ravine.

A truck taking out a line of cars due to brake failure. 

A pick-up crossing the median and having a head on collision with an oncoming family vehicle. 

An HGV without lighting doing a U-turn in the pitch dark and getting hit by a speeding vehicle.

A speed boat island hopping flipping over and occupants drowning.

Roof collapse (somewhere in a large building)

A crane collapse at some construction site.

Part of the Rama II over-pass collapsing.

Dog (most likley a 'pittie') killing its owner or guest.

One mate shooting another during a drunk argument they can't remember.

 

 

[richard_smith237]

31 minutes ago, kwilco said:

1 hour ago, koele2 said:

What kind of human being runs away when 6 year olds are burning on a bus?  

you have no idea what went on - you are just making up stories to make yourself fell better - just hope the same never happens so you have to "prove" yourself.

 

No... It was reported that the bus driver got out (later videos show him 'trying' to help with a fire extinguisher) but why not just get all the kids out at that time through the same door ????

 

 

I know you like to be the only person on a thread who can possibly comprehend how an accident may have occurred. 

I know you like to be the only person on a thread who can possibly comprehend human nature and how people react.

But, you are also the only person on a thread who consistently acts like a grade A1 womble with their warbling in such matters highlighting an encyclopaedic text book knowledge of an insurance adjustor and nothing of human nature

 

 

 

[FruitPudding]

1 hour ago, brfsa2 said:

Damn.  This is so tragic!
I can’t imagine the despair of the parents waiting to know if their little child is one that escaped or died on the fires. This is super sad.

 

 

Horrific.

 

1 hour ago, brfsa2 said:

i’ve already cancelled all field trips for daughters. No more. 
Do you trust the life of your cold in hands of a Thai bus drivers and often untrained teachers? 

 

I understand how you feel. Its so dangerous here 

 

My kid's school gets a police escort on trips to avoid accidents, so that makes me feel better.

 

[Mike k]

4 hours ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

 

As others have said, this is utterly devastating. RIP little angels and little soldiers.

 

Surely there should be a ban on LPG being used by any buses, minivans, taxis or any form of public transport; the financial savings that are the reason for using LPG, could be counterbalanced in tax concessions for companies and taxi drivers. Don’t let this ever happen again.

Other countries use LNG for public busses with out a problem. Maybe Thailand needs to forget about a submarine and invest that money in foreign workers that can maintain the busses (not third world countries) 

[richard_smith237]

5 minutes ago, kwilco said:

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

the tyre blew, probably way past their useful life

It's so sad that people seem to think they are so much better by making assumptions about an incident when there is no accident report or any evidence to support that opion a..it's just an opportunity for bigotry and racism.

 

Or the experience of being here on a daily basis and witnessing the very issues ourselves. 

 

You call it bigotry and racism...  we call it observation.

 

When I drive and pull up next to a lorry, a bus, any large vehicle and see the state of the tyres its a very common observation to see what a poor state they are in.

 

It is also common knowledge that tyres here are often left over-inflated - there are numerous reports of forum members having had to 'let air out' of their tyres after a replacement to set them at their correct pressure.

 

 

These observations do no exist in a void and why they are unfair as 'generalisations' when something such as this occurs and caused by a 'tyre blow out' - bringing into suspicion quality of the tyres on the vehicle is an extremely valid point void of any bigotry or racism, and born of nothing more than familiarity with where we are and how so many rules are violated... 

[connda]

How the hell did that happen? 

[richard_smith237]

5 minutes ago, FruitPudding said:

I understand how you feel. Its so dangerous here 

 

My kid's school gets a police escort on trips to avoid accidents, so that makes me feel better.

 

Yep...   that happens with my kids too...   I had concerns that this meant they 'blasted through' everywhere... but one of the parents (neurotic) also followed and reported back to the 'mums' that the drivers were safe.

 

On my Son's first field trip (he was 3 or 4) I questioned the use of child safety seats in the busses - and received a very disappointing response (International School).

 

 

[connda]

12 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Once a fire broke out - drive escaped leaving the kids in the van.

How much do you want to bet that there was no fire extinguisher onboard?  TIT.

[4MyEgo]

5 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

OMG' anyone with school kids going on trips must be very nervous I know I Am' my 10 year old is supposed to be going on one Thursday I was already before this, starting to feel uneasy.

 

This countries appalling school safety laid burning bare in a few photos sickening kids failed by adults Rip.🤔  

 

Absolutely gut wrenching to hear and see the video, I can't imagine the pain and suffering all of those parents must be going through, and loved ones.

 

For what it's worth, our kids don't go on school excursions, period, and our very reason is that we do not trust the buses, or the drivers.

 

The School Principal tried to persuade us a while back to allow our kids to go, by saying it was mandatory, with my reply being, respectfully, can you guarantee the safety of our children outside of the school, she hesitated for a minute and I said, I understand, therefore as they are our children, they are our responsibility when not at school, that is mandatory, suffice to say, if it makes it any better for the school, our children can be absent from all excursions due to them suffering travel sickness, she looked at me and smiled as if to say, I want to slap you hard, but she had no come back.

 

As parents, we make decisions, right or wrong, I prefer we make those decisions than allow others to do them for us, just because it's the way of the world, so to speak. 

 

RIP little Angels.