5% of CNG Buses Fail Safety Checks After Fatal Fire in Thailand

[webfact]

Bus fire in suburban Bangkok, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 / FILE photo

 

In the wake of a tragic school tour bus fire, the Department of Land Transport has revealed concerning initial findings from nationwide inspections of compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered buses across Thailand. So far, 5% of these inspected buses have been identified as defective.

 

This initiative began on October 4, following a devastating incident on October 1 in Pathum Thani, where a tour bus carrying students and teachers from Wat Phao Praya Sangkharam School caught fire, resulting in the loss of 20 students and three teachers. The bus involved was 54 years old, and its CNG conversion was found to be non-compliant with existing safety regulations.

 

The inspections, which have currently covered only 10% of Thailand's approximately 13,400 CNG-powered buses, revealed 68 out of 1,331 buses had serious defects. Common issues included expired gas cylinders and non-compliant equipment, prompting temporary road bans for the faulty vehicles.

Remarkably, 12 of these buses have since passed subsequent inspections after operators swiftly addressed the required repairs. The transport department has mandated all operators of defective buses to rectify issues within 15 days, followed by another round of inspections to ensure compliance.

 

This safety push comes amid serious legal proceedings against Samarn Chanthabut, the driver involved in the fatal fire, as well as the owner of the bus and Chinnaboot Tour, the company responsible for the vehicle. Authorities discovered attempts by the company to hide non-compliance in other buses within their fleet.

 

With only a small fraction of the country's CNG bus fleet inspected, the extensive ongoing evaluations are crucial for ensuring passenger safety. While progress has been swift, the task at hand remains substantial, emphasising the urgent need for rigorous inspections across all CNG-powered buses, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Meanwhile, the tragic incident continues to resonate, with three young students still hospitalised due to burn injuries. The efforts to enhance safety standards and enforce compliance are crucial steps toward preventing future tragedies and restoring public trust in the country’s transportation system.

 

-- 2024-10-18

 

 

[retarius]

So they've inspected every bus in Thailand in 2 weeks? I don't believe it.

[rocketboy2]

5 %

Pants on fire. 

[CharlieH]

1 hour ago, retarius said:

So they've inspected every bus in Thailand in 2 weeks? I don't believe it.

 "The inspections, which have currently covered only 10% of Thailand's approximately 13,400 CNG-powered buses,"

[connda]

Color me surprised.  Basically bombs on wheels.

[MikeandDow]

2 hours ago, retarius said:

So they've inspected every bus in Thailand in 2 weeks? I don't believe it.

Read the post again  does not say EVERY bus in Thailand

[mdr224]

My experience with thai doctors is that they give you medication to treat symptoms without addressing the root cause of the symptom. Its a good analogy for how everything works in that country

[MikeandDow]

15 minutes ago, connda said:

Color me surprised.  Basically bombs on wheels.

You need to do some research into CNG fuel systems, CNG fuel systems, Are safe as long as they are correctly Installed and  maintained

[Gottfrid]

So, that means 1 out of 20 is a potential coffin. Russian roulette, anyone?

[johng]

8 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

CNG fuel systems, Are safe as long as they are correctly Installed and  maintained

 

And so are Nuclear reactors  😱

[MikeandDow]

11 minutes ago, johng said:

 

And so are Nuclear reactors  😱

Yes correct

[brianthainess]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Common issues included expired gas cylinders and non-compliant equipment,

So How did they pass and Who did the last inspections ? ?  Track these wonkers down.

Thailand needs to up it's game on safety, and it's not always about money, some is down to pure laziness, and ineffective training by teachers who don't know how to inspect properly in the first place.

[lordgrinz]

How many had their extra tanks removed before inspection? Also, how many handed over a brown envelope and bypassed the inspection line?

Edited October 18 by lordgrinz

[brianthainess]

So out of the 1,340 buses checked will have Gas Sensors fitted with alarms in the cab, my guess will be ZERO. 

[BangkokReady]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Remarkably, 12 of these buses have since passed subsequent inspections after operators swiftly addressed the required repairs. The transport department has mandated all operators of defective buses to rectify issues within 15 days, followed by another round of inspections to ensure compliance.

 

Not that remarkable.  The faults are likely to be pretty simple to fix, but people just either cannot be bothered or it doesn't even occur to them to do the work.  There seems to be a pretty pervasive culture of just shrugging and ignoring stuff in Thailand.

[BangkokReady]

1 hour ago, MikeandDow said:

safe as long as they are correctly Installed and  maintained

 

Hence they are bombs on wheels...  🙄

[lordgrinz]

1 minute ago, BangkokReady said:

 

Not that remarkable.  The faults are likely to be pretty simple to fix, but people just either cannot be bothered or it doesn't even occur to them to do the work.  There seems to be a pretty pervasive culture of just shrugging and ignoring stuff in Thailand.

 

Don't worry, when this all blows over, they will get back to their pervasive culture. TIT

[MikeandDow]

16 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

So How did they pass and Who did the last inspections ? ?  Track these wonkers down.

Thailand needs to up it's game on safety, and it's not always about money, some is down to pure laziness, and ineffective training by teachers who don't know how to inspect properly in the first place.

do you know the standard for checking CNG fuel is  the check is visual only

and what i have seen they are using gas meters which is MORE than is required you need to read the Standards which are world wide

Edited October 18 by MikeandDow

[brianthainess]

Just now, MikeandDow said:

do you know the standard for checking CNG fuel is  the check is visual only

Yes that is the standard, but in a recent picture the have shown a hand held gas reader being used, no doubt just for the press to appease the populace,  they are also available to be fitted in the engine compartment for $100.

[ronster]

Missing a digit before the 5 I'm sure 🤔

[Expat68]

5 hours ago, retarius said:

So they've inspected every bus in Thailand in 2 weeks? I don't believe it.

5% I don't believe it

[MikeandDow]

3 minutes ago, Expat68 said:

5% I don't believe it

Can you not read

The inspections, which have currently covered only 10% of Thailand's approximately 13,400 CNG-powered buses, revealed 68 out of 1,331 buses

 

you should check your post before you post just makes you silly if you don't ,learn how to post

Edited October 18 by MikeandDow

[Expat68]

What makes you think I didn't read it?

[RamblingOn]

3 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

Read the post again  does not say EVERY bus in Thailand

No use in telling MikeandDow to read the post again, he reads what he want to read.

[jippytum]

Most people will be shocked it's only 5%

[Sydebolle]

"Serious defects", i.e. there are another few hundreds with "minor defects" as far as the CNG is concerned? 

Anyone interested in accruing failing brakes, steering wheel issues - apart from drunk/sleepy Somchais behind the wheels? 

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

So far, 5% of these inspected buses have been identified as defective.

So inspectors are doing a great job then?

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, retarius said:

So they've inspected every bus in Thailand in 2 weeks? I don't believe it.

 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

With only a small fraction of the country's CNG bus fleet inspected, the extensive ongoing evaluations are crucial for ensuring passenger safety. While progress has been swift, the task at hand remains substantial, emphasising the urgent need for rigorous inspections across all CNG-powered buses

Obviously form the post they haven't.

[lordgrinz]

42 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

Can you not read

The inspections, which have currently covered only 10% of Thailand's approximately 13,400 CNG-powered buses, revealed 68 out of 1,331 buses

 

you should check your post before you post just makes you silly if you don't ,learn how to post

 

There must be thousands of those buses right now being fixed to coverup their illegal conversions. 

[Ralf001]

So,  approximately 13,400 CNG-powered buses in Thailand....

 

wonder how many others that are still taxed as a diesel vehicle but have been converted to CNG ?.......

Or is that the approx part of the equation ?