Horrific Bus Fire in Thailand Sparks National Debate on Safety

[webfact]

Rescuers work at the site of a bus that caught fire, carrying young students with their teachers, in suburban Bangkok, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

 

In the wake of a horrific bus fire that claimed the lives of 20 students and three teachers in Pathum Thani, the nation finds itself embroiled in a heated debate over the safety and viability of school field trips. This tragedy, which unfolded on a seemingly ordinary day, has shaken communities and brought to the forefront pressing questions about transport policies and safety measures for educational outings. 

 

On the unfortunate day, a bus carrying students from Wat Khao Praya Sangkharam school in Uthai Thani was engulfed in flames whilst travelling on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.

 

The excursion, aimed at enriching students' knowledge through visits to historical and educational sites, ended in unspeakable loss. An investigation by forensic police revealed that a gas leak, due to a detached fuel line in conjunction with poorly maintained components, was responsible for the fire. Tragically, this glaring oversight highlights the lack of stringent safety checks and protocols for vehicles transporting young passengers.

 

In response, Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob acted swiftly, halting all student trips nationwide. He ordered that any future necessary excursions must involve buses undergoing rigorous safety inspections. Additionally, the Minister suggested reconsidering the nature of these trips, particularly advocating for avoiding long-distance travel and involving parents in journeys involving younger students. 

Despite the ministerial intervention, opinions on school trips are divided. On one hand, there are arguments for their educational value, supported by Education Minister Chidchob himself. He emphasised that such experiences are integral to student development and learning, suggesting that outright bans could limit educational opportunities. Instead, Chidchob proposed additional safety measures, including mandatory accident-response drills to better prepare students and teachers for emergencies.

 

On the other hand, experts like Thanapong Jinvong from the Road Safety Group of Thailand have pointed out the systemic flaws in current safety practices. Jinvong calls for the establishment of an independent national body dedicated solely to road safety oversight – an entity that could streamline vehicle inspections and ensure compliance with safety regulations across the board. This proposed central agency would mirror the successful model of Malaysia's Institute of Road Safety Research, offering a repository of expertise to prevent such tragedies.

 

The driver of the ill-fated bus, Samarn Chanphut, faced charges after surrendering to the authorities, underscoring the urgent need for more responsible management of school transportation services. Among other proposals is a call for the Land Transport Department to tighten rules governing commercial driving licences, guaranteeing that drivers are adequately trained in handling emergencies.

 

Public reaction has been one of collective mourning and calls for accountability. Parents and advocacy groups demand justice for the victims and immediate reforms to prevent future calamities.

 

A newly purchased football is kept near the coffin of one of the victims of the school bus fire by father Wichan Seubsaichan, at Wat Khao Phraya Sangkharam School, Lan Sak, Uthai Thani province, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

 

Furthermore, the tragedy has prompted political efforts to introduce a public safety bill in parliament, backed by influential figures such as Suchatvee Suwansawat. If enacted, this legislation would establish a dedicated committee on public safety with a mandate to improve safety protocols and enforce compliance.

 

While the tragedy has initiated this crucial discourse, many believe that the solution lies not in curtailing educational trips but in robust policy reform and enforcement. Increased scrutiny and improvement in public bus safety standards are imperative, as is better training for both drivers and students on emergency protocols.

 

This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in safeguarding young lives, prompting a pivotal moment for change in transport safety across the nation. As grief envelopes communities, the hope remains that decisive action can prevent similar tragedies in the future, ensuring that educational excursions remain safe and enriching experiences for all students, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2024-10-07

 

[Artisi]

While an absolute tragedy bought about by a complete lack of care, neglect and a mai bpen rai attitude, give it a month or 2 and it will all be forgotten and all back to normal, until such times as all involved in events of this nature and severely punished  - nothing will change. 

[nakhonandy]

Hopefully this wont just be the usual talk and no action, and will result in real action to improve safety and remove a lot of these unsafe buses.

This should also be applied to trucks and other vehicles.

Driver training should also be included.

[Fortunateson]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Jinvong calls for the establishment of an independent national body dedicated solely to road safety oversight

Why not simply enforce existing laws?  

[Zack61]

38 minutes ago, nakhonandy said:

Hopefully this wont just be the usual talk and no action, and will result in real action to improve safety and remove a lot of these unsafe buses.

This should also be applied to trucks and other vehicles.

Driver training should also be included.

I’m betting on the former. 

[Jumbo1968]

After the Doctor was killed in Bangkok all of sudden pedestrian crossings appeared everywhere, the problem is no one stops for pedestrians even at light controlled ones.

[factual monk]

The main issue is of corruption... once the Auth are able to address that, all the things/ issues will automatically get resolved. It will take time but it's for thais to decide now... whether to be part of corruption & negligence or set things straight... 

[kuzmabruk]

8 minutes ago, factual monk said:

The main issue is of corruption... once the Auth are able to address that, all the things/ issues will automatically get resolved. It will take time but it's for thais to decide now... whether to be part of corruption & negligence or set things straight... 

Thailand need only follow their dream nation - China.  Punish corruption and implement safety.   It does however require that police are paid a fair wage.  Corruption is driven by inadequate economics 

[Theforgotten1]

How about get a group of people to enforce all laws , call them law enforcement officers , then a group to oversee them , then a group to audit all there finances with powers to act on suspicious activity, do that to every government worker

 

[Artisi]

40 minutes ago, Fortunateson said:

Why not simply enforce existing laws?  

What! and admit they haven't been doing their jobs as required? 

Nah! pass it on to someone else who in turn can also ignore it. 

[watchcat]

43 minutes ago, Fortunateson said:

Why not simply enforce existing laws?  

 

RTP is the answere.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

In the wake of a horrific bus fire that claimed the lives of 20 students and three teachers in Pathum Thani, the nation finds itself embroiled in a heated debate over the safety and viability of school field trips.

There is nothing wrong with continuing school field trips, the problem that officials, government ministers and the Land Transport Department  finds hard to understand is the safety of vehicles on the roads and the competency of it's drivers.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, nakhonandy said:

Hopefully this wont just be the usual talk and no action, and will result in real action to improve safety and remove a lot of these unsafe buses.

This should also be applied to trucks and other vehicles.

Driver training should also be included.

Unfortunately nothing will change.

[Elkski]

20 kids but what about the umpteen thousands of deaths in the road each year.   Don't just talk about buses.  Talk about all the causes of road fatalities.  Tackle the top 5 causes of deaths.    First step is helmets on motorcycles.   2 passenger max.   Seat belts, infant Carriers.    Some people are going to be walking and pissed.  

[ikke1959]

Now it is a hot item because of this tragedy but as usual in Thailand, nothing will change,  as you need a good policeforce for it that knows how to do their job instead of just checking the payment of taxes... an non corrupt institution that checks all vehicles and doesn't give the papers to pay taxes, and the willingness of the Thai people to stand up against others that bring lives in dangers, for example crazy minivan drivers, taxis, etc ..So nothing will change  because nobody will start to do something

[Kenneth White]

I have lived here in Thailand with my Thai wife for 12 years, and I find a total disregard for safety. Tragically, school kids lost their lives needlessly; however, what about the thousands of other deaths that occur? You can't save them all, but some steps can be taken to prevent many other deaths. May I suggest that the Thai government add qualified policemen or women to patrol the streets and enforce the rules or laws of the road?

[jwl53]

46 minutes ago, Theforgotten1 said:

How about get a group of people to enforce all laws , call them law enforcement officers , then a group to oversee them , then a group to audit all there finances with powers to act on suspicious activity, do that to every government worker

 

And who will oversee the overseers? The higher you go the higher the tea money

[dinsdale]

Sadly the Land of Smiles is also The Land of Brown Paper Bags.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

If enacted, this legislation would establish a dedicated committee on public safety with a mandate to improve safety protocols and enforce compliance.

Let's set up a committee. This will surely change the entire culture. Who remembers the "all cars must have child seats" in cars where needed. Never happened. Never enforced. Helmets LOL. Everyday I see motorcyclists speeding past the BIB with no helmets. The list of health and safety issues in the LOBPB is extensive.

[Kenneth White]

8 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Now it is a hot item because of this tragedy but as usual in Thailand, nothing will change,  as you need a good policeforce for it that knows how to do their job instead of just checking the payment of taxes... an non corrupt institution that checks all vehicles and doesn't give the papers to pay taxes, and the willingness of the Thai people to stand up against others that bring lives in dangers, for example crazy minivan drivers, taxis, etc ..So nothing will change  because nobody will start to do something

I hear my Thai relatives talk about the poor Thai people, and I get angry with them. Safety is not whether you are rich or poor; it is common sense and consideration of others, which, frankly, I find lacking in the Thai community.

 

[Andycoops]

There is no safety in Thailand, it's all lip service, like boards at construction sites saying safety first and the first thing you see is a man dangling on a rope with no harness or helmet.

 

With the now exposed corruption of bribes paid for over weight trucks and trailers to continue their journeys and this latest tradegy with inspectors taking bribes the rotten core of officials is sickening.

[Gottfrid]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

In response, Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob acted swiftly, halting all student trips nationwide. He ordered that any future necessary excursions must involve buses undergoing rigorous safety inspections.

Acted swiftly? This is starting to feel like reading a children book written in very hard language. This guy, has to go out and stop all school trips, only because of two idiotic reasons. First reason is the bus owner who believe they can do and get away with everything who are modifying their buses, use too old buses without thinking at all about the safety of their passengers.

 

Second reason is the authorities and officials taking bribes to overlook the potential, which are no longer potential, risks and faults, age as well as modifications. Both parties say yippie and put more money in their pockets, while their evil decisions are killing people. Just because there are no upholding or enforcement of law in Thailand. The police do not know how to, or are totally incapable of doing a professional work. also here, they are sitting on their arses until something reach social media and creates a public storm or they get extra money for doing their work. In other words, also lining their pockets.
 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Furthermore, the tragedy has prompted political efforts to introduce a public safety bill in parliament, backed by influential figures such as Suchatvee Suwansawat. If enacted, this legislation would establish a dedicated committee on public safety with a mandate to improve safety protocols and enforce compliance.

He can be how influential he wish to be. He can present how many legislations and protocols he want. After that, once again, call for enforcement and compliance. Is he laughing all the way to the bank? The only thing that will work is to reform the whole system, apply harsher punishments for all from small to bigger crimes and make people do their work.

 

For that to happen, they must first change the mindset of people, so they value life over money. After that, they must take away the dinosaurs, and find a non corrupted government who also look to the welfare and safety as well as living standards for their people before lining their own pockets.

As we all realize, that is never going to happen.

[Felton Jarvis]

Bus owners should face charges over illegal gas canisters.

[smew]

Eliminate Corruption and safety will improve.

simple

[steven100]

oh dear Georgealbert,  I cannot comment on this as it is very distressing. 

[Iron Tongue]

1 hour ago, Theforgotten1 said:

How about get a group of people to enforce all laws , call them law enforcement officers , then a group to oversee them , then a group to audit all there finances with powers to act on suspicious activity, do that to every government worker

 

You just want to add another layer of bureaucracy to an already overwhelming bureaucratic system.  When has that ever helped, anywhere?

The sad state of Thai attitudes is because they have had to endure a lifetime of burdensome rules, which everyone knows they can ignore.

 

[BangkokReady]

40 minutes ago, smew said:

Eliminate Corruption and safety will improve.

simple

 

Simple, sure, but corruption is a key part of Thai culture.  It's almost like saying "eliminate Thailand". 

 

It might change, but, like any society, it will probably change very, very slowly.

[BangkokReady]

How is there even a debate to have?  It's so obvious what the cause was; corruption and lack of safety. 

 

Is one side of the debate really saying that this is OK?

[KannikaP]

1 hour ago, Kenneth White said:

add qualified policemen or women to patrol the streets and enforce the rules or laws of the road?

Where will they find them?

[MikeandDow]

Corruption is only a small part of the problem, "safety is everybody responsibility"  and there lies the problem the mind set of the Thais has to change to look after each other to question "Is this safe" to point out hold on I should switch off before i work on machinery ect.  it is actually called    Occupational health and safety (OSH) which Thailand Has  Thailand is governed by a combination of laws, regulations, and best practices. The key regulatory framework includes the Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Act B.E. 2554 (2011) and various Ministerial Regulations that refine and specify certain facets of OSH. but is it Enforced NO !!  will it change NO!! Why lives are cheap in Asia nobody interested

[outsider]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

heated debate over the safety and viability of school field trips.

 

Stupid debate. It's not the school field trip, but the illegality of the bus, the negligence and blatant disregard for safety by the driver, owner/operator and everyone (including officials) involved, that killed the little ones and their teahcers. Charges should be pressed on these idiots too. Otherwise all these talks and debates is just nothing more than a typical knee-jerk reaction that happens everytime a tragedy occurs. And it most probably will be just that. Once attention on this issue blows over, things will go back to status quo. Which will take what, a week or so?

 

As for safety, just cut the crap and address the real issues, which everyone already knows - blatant and unchecked bribery/corruption and complete lack of enforcement. But this isn't going to happen, is it?  Unfortunate, but it's just another day in Thailand.