Deadly Bus Fire Tragedy Highlights Safety Failures on Thai Roads

[webfact]

 

A tragic bus fire on October 1, which claimed the lives of 20 children and three adults, has once again underscored the severe road safety issues in Thailand.

 

As one of the world's most dangerous countries for road travel, Thailand faces ongoing challenges in ensuring vehicle safety, particularly for school buses transporting young passengers.

 

Incident Overview

The incident involved a bus carrying 44 passengers, mostly primary school students, on a field trip from Uthai Thani to Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi. As the bus reached the outskirts of Bangkok, it caught fire, trapping many passengers inside.

 

Despite rescue efforts, 23 lives were lost, and three others suffered severe injuries. This tragedy echoes a similar incident in 2018, when a bus fire claimed the lives of 20 Myanmar migrant workers. These recurring accidents have prompted questions about Thailand's road safety regulations and their enforcement.

 

The State of Bus Safety in Thailand

Thailand has long been criticized for its lax enforcement of safety standards, particularly for public transportation vehicles. Sumet Ongkittikul, Research Director for Transportation and Logistics Policy at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), highlighted that only 5% of the country’s 10,000 non-regular buses meet fire safety standards implemented in 2022. These standards mandate the use of non-flammable materials, but they apply only to new or recently overhauled buses, leaving older vehicles exempt.

According to Sumet, retrofitting older buses with fire-retardant materials is costly, leading many bus operators to resist these updates. He suggested that the Thai government could follow international examples by providing subsidies or low-interest loans to facilitate fleet upgrades. Doing so would help prevent fires from spreading quickly, giving passengers more time to evacuate.

 

Inspection Loopholes and Accountability

The October 1 tragedy also revealed critical flaws in Thailand’s vehicle inspection process. The bus in question, registered over 50 years ago, was found to have undergone unsafe modifications, including an excess number of compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinders.

 

An inspection revealed that a leaking cylinder was a major factor in the blaze. The driver, who initially fled, later admitted to reckless driving and modifying the vehicle beyond its capacity.

 

Thailand’s Transport Ministry mandates biannual safety inspections for buses, but poor quality and lax enforcement remain persistent issues. Dr. Thanapong Jinwong, manager of the Center for Road Safety, called for an independent regulatory body to ensure accountability and implement safety standards effectively.

 

Government Response

Following the incident, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra held an emergency meeting to address the country’s ongoing road safety crisis. The Transport Ministry ordered inspections of all 13,425 CNG-powered buses within 60 days and announced plans to update safety regulations for non-regular service buses. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit also proposed new regulations requiring bus operators to inform passengers about safety features and emergency procedures.

 

The Education Ministry has taken immediate steps by suspending all school trips until bus safety inspections are completed. Additionally, the Transport Ministry has urged schools to ensure that buses used for field trips are checked by qualified inspectors.

 

The Need for Systematic Reform

Despite repeated promises to improve road safety, Thailand’s progress has been slow. According to Thanapong, the government has established multiple committees on road safety over the years, yet few have produced lasting change. He recommended that an independent organization be formed, staffed with experts who can enforce road safety standards and hold relevant agencies accountable.

 

Observers point out that fatalities resulting from the October 1 tragedy emphasize the need for better emergency preparedness. Many parents are now hesitant to allow their children to participate in field trips due to safety concerns.

 

Conclusion

Thailand's poor road safety record, with an average of 17,914 fatalities each year, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reform. While government agencies have pledged to improve safety standards, experts stress that only a systematic and enforced approach can prevent future tragedies. As families mourn the lives lost in this latest disaster, calls for greater accountability and stronger safety measures grow louder, reported Thai PBS.

 

Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

-- 2024-10-08

 

[SAFETY FIRST]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

has once again underscored the severe road safety issues in Thailand

You can start with retraining your police force.

 

Cops turning a blind eye to violations is giving the wrong impression to road users. 

 

Minor violations like overloading, at times I see riding 4 on a motorcycle without helmets. 

 

Many times I see cops riding their white Nmax and PCX ignoring other riders breaking the law. 

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by SAFETY FIRST