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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