Bus Owner Caught Trying to Hide Illegal Gas Cylinders After Deadly Fire

[webfact]

Picture from responder

 

Authorities have uncovered attempts by  the company responsible for the bus fire that killed 23 students and teachers in Pathum Thani, to conceal illegal modifications to other buses in its fleet.

 

The Department of Land Transport (DLT) revealed that additional gas cylinders were being secretly removed from five of the company's buses just days after the fatal accident.

 

The tragic fire occurred during a school field trip when an aging bus caught fire, resulting in the deaths of 20 students and three teachers from Uthai Thani.

 

Investigators found that the bus had been improperly converted to run on gas, with far more cylinders than legally permitted. Only six of the 11 cylinders found onboard had been certified by authorities.

Following the incident, the DLT ordered the inspection of five other buses in the company's fleet. When the buses failed to show up for inspection, officials tracked them via GPS to a garage in Nakhon Ratchasima, where workers were found removing illegally installed gas cylinders.

 

Jirut Wisanjit, director-general of the DLT, said this clearly showed an intent to hide the illegal modifications.

 

The bus involved in the fire had been in operation for over 50 years and had undergone several unauthorized modifications, which likely contributed to the accident.

 

Police forensic teams confirmed that a gas leak occurred before the fire, though the exact cause of the blaze is still under investigation. Meanwhile, the company's license has been suspended pending further inquiries.

 

-- 2024-10-04

 

[webfact]

Tour Company Tied to Bus Fire Caught Removing CNG Tanks from Five Additional Buses

 

Picture courtesy: MGR online

 

In a shocking revelation, authorities have impounded five coaches belonging to Shinbutr Tour Company following a devastating incident that claimed the lives of 20 schoolchildren and three teachers. These coaches were discovered at a garage in Nakhon Ratchasima with alterations being made to their CNG systems.

 

Amidst intense scrutiny, the Land Transport Department (LTD) has suspended the company's operating licence after mechanics were caught removing extra CNG canisters from the coaches. These actions were apparently aimed at concealing unauthorised modifications.

 

The spotlight has intensified on safety protocols following the catastrophic fire on a double-decker coach. It is believed this tragedy was exacerbated by illegal installations of CNG canisters. The ill-fated coach was fitted with 11 canisters, significantly exceeding the six the company was permitted to install.

Director-General of the LTD, Jirut Wisanjit, revealed that Shinbutr Tour had tried to circumvent inspections by not sending their buses to the LTD office as previously requested. The department located the vehicles using on-board GPS systems, finding them stationed at a private garage where attempts were made to cover up prior infractions.

 

In response to the incident, two LTD officials responsible for vehicle inspections have been transferred, pending further investigation. Meanwhile, the coach owner, driver, and the mechanic involved in the improper installations are now subject to questioning to assess their roles in the tragedy.

 

Shinbutr Tour Company faces mounting pressure and legal challenges following these developments, raising broader questions about enforcement of safety regulations in the public transport sector.

 

Picture courtesy: MGR online

 

-- 2024-10-04

 

 

 

[smedly]

This really doesn't surprise me, they should be jailed including officials

[it is what it is]

 

still blaming the driver?

[fondue zoo]

11 or 6  it would not have mattered, dollars for donuts the installation was substandard every time.

This bunch are not concerned about pride in their work.

 

Anywhere else there would be a class action filed by the parents, and they would be sued out of existence with jail time.

Edited October 3 by fondue zoo

[SAFETY FIRST]

56 minutes ago, it is what it is said:

 

still blaming the driver?

 It seems you have been asleep. 

 

The driver ran from the scene, leaving the rear door shut leaving those poor little children to perish. 

 

The driver's bus was illegally modified, his death trap blew, as a human being, he had an obligation to help the people on board his bus. 

 

Edited October 3 by SAFETY FIRST

[SAFETY FIRST]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Removing CNG Tanks from Five Additional Buses

These coaches were discovered at a garage in Nakhon Ratchasima with alterations being made to their CNG systems.

Omg, how many of these unroadworthy, potential firebombs are on Thailand's roads? 

 

[CharlieH]

And how many others across the country are running around like this ? Sure as hell that won't be the only company doing dodgy deeds that's for sure.

[Phill61]

1 hour ago, it is what it is said:

 

still blaming the driver?

Yes

[Homburg]

Illegal modifications!  I'm shocked, SHOCKED....

[Confuscious]

Remember a few years ago when a bus caught fire in korat-saraburi and the double deck busses were forbidden by the government?

As long as Thailand will be ruler by corruption nothing will ever change.

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

In serious countries the occupation "mechanic" is reserved for someone with formal training.  The kids would have been safer shuttled on motorbikes helmetless.

Edited October 3 by Oliver Holzerfilled

[neeray]

If I understand correctly, this is a Mercedes Benz chassis and drive train, but not the coach. If that is so, I'm surprised that MB would allow their decal on the locally-made coach.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Authorities have uncovered attempts by  the company responsible for the bus fire that killed 23 students and teachers in Pathum Thani, to conceal illegal modifications to other buses in its fleet.

 

The Department of Land Transport (DLT) revealed that additional gas cylinders were being secretly removed from five of the company's buses just days after the fatal accident

Jail the owners and close the company down.. simple.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Investigators found that the bus had been improperly converted to run on gas, with far more cylinders than legally permitted. Only six of the 11 cylinders found onboard had been certified by authorities.

Following the incident, the DLT ordered the inspection of five other buses in the company's fleet. When the buses failed to show up for inspection, officials tracked them via GPS to a garage in Nakhon Ratchasima, where workers were found removing illegally installed gas cylinders.

Trusted Thailand.... 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

In response to the incident, two LTD officials responsible for vehicle inspections have been transferred, pending further investigation. Meanwhile, the coach owner, driver, and the mechanic involved in the improper installations are now subject to questioning to assess their roles in the tragedy.

Starting to get to the real issues with these tragedies... people !!

[Artisi]

2 hours ago, it is what it is said:

 

still blaming the driver?

Of course, normal proceedure. 

[Artisi]

14 minutes ago, neeray said:

If I understand correctly, this is a Mercedes Benz chassis and drive train, but not the coach. If that is so, I'm surprised that MB would allow their decal on the locally-made coach.

Why would they be aware of it? 

[animalmagic]

16 minutes ago, neeray said:

If I understand correctly, this is a Mercedes Benz chassis and drive train, but not the coach. If that is so, I'm surprised that MB would allow their decal on the locally-made coach.

I'd be surprised if the permission of MB was asked for.

[Utalk2mutt]

After such an awful tragedy I will be happy when the driver and the owner are held properly accountable. Running from the incident is absolutely abhorrent cowardly behaviour and then the owner getting caught removing gas cylinders on his other buses (trying to save his neck)just shows he knew that what he was doing was highly illegal in the first place. These two must be sent down for life and life to mean exactly that. Neither deserves any kind of mercy. May all those that have lost their lives RiP.

[chiang mai]

All over Thailand, at this very moment, welders, mechanics and several hundred DIY'ers in every city and town are removing traces of their previous money saving, short cut bodge jobs and owners of bus companies are sweating profusely in the hope the work can be completed before they are found out. The activity is likely to increase GDP this year by half a percent.

 

It's the Inspection and certification authorities who took backhanders to certify these vehicle, who have blood on their hands, not the driver of the fated bus.

[Tarteso]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

the mechanic involved in the improper installations

This Bungler is called Mechanic.. 🤔

[itsari]

Tampering with evidence , obstruction of jutice ,negligence and perviting the course of justice should be a good start to have the company owners placed in custody until the investigation are complete.

The victims families need to be shown that the authorities are serious .

 

[malibukid]

life is cheap in LOS

[chiang mai]

4 minutes ago, itsari said:

Tampering with evidence , obstruction of jutice ,negligence and perviting the course of justice should be a good start to have the company owners placed in custody until the investigation are complete.

The victims families need to be shown that the authorities are serious .

 

True, but what about the other 2,000 or more bus company owners who now doing exactly the same thing, as we speak!

[Asquith Production]

2 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Omg, how many of these unroadworthy, potential firebombs are on Thailand's roads? 

 

Exactly and that's why I never ever travel in one.

[Andycoops]

They should be charged with manslaughter as the absolute minimum and put in the Hilton for 20 years.

[Asquith Production]

42 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Jail the owners and close the company down.. simple.

And check all the other bus operators 

[itsari]

2 minutes ago, chiang mai said:

True, but what about the other 2,000 or more bus company owners who now doing exactly the same thing, as we speak!

Deal with them in the same way Sir.

They are just as responsible as the bus company under focus.

Find some room for the inspectors responsible for allowing the practice in the first place.

A massive undertaking for sure and this government has a chance to prove themselves

[hotchilli]

2 minutes ago, Asquith Production said:

And check all the other bus operators 

And all the DLT inspectors.