Public Bus Accidents in Thailand Surge by 46.5%

[webfact]

File photo

 

Thailand's National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has revealed a sharp 46.5% increase in accidents involving public buses in 2023.

 

Buses accounted for the highest proportion of these incidents, with 73.0% of cases, driven by driver errors and poorly maintained, ageing vehicles. Additionally, unsafe vehicle modifications have exacerbated the risk.

 

Public transport remains essential, particularly in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces, where over 968 million trips were recorded in 2022.

 

However, a troubling rise in fatalities and injuries was reported, with casualties from public bus accidents increasing by more than 105% compared to 2022.

 

Key factors contributing to these accidents include unsafe driving practices, such as speeding, tailgating, and fatigued driving.

An alarming 81.1% of incidents were attributed to driver behaviour, compounded by poor working conditions. Drivers often endure emotional stress and inadequate rest, further affecting their performance.

 

Vehicle safety is another critical issue. Many public buses are ageing and poorly maintained due to high operational costs, making necessary upgrades financially unfeasible.

 

Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

Furthermore, substandard modifications, such as improperly installed compressed natural gas (CNG) systems, pose significant hazards.

 

A 2023 inspection in Thailand found that over half of the buses fitted with CNG tanks failed to meet safety standards.

 

A tragic example occurred on 1 October 2024, when a school excursion bus caught fire on Vibhavadi Road in Bangkok, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.

 

Investigators discovered the bus had 11 CNG tanks installed, far exceeding the safety limit of six, with five tanks not registered. This incident highlights the persistent lack of adherence to safety regulations.

 

Despite repeated assurances from authorities to prevent future tragedies, the lack of enforcement and accountability continues to result in loss and injury.

 

Sustainable solutions require stricter laws and a stronger commitment from transport operators to prioritise passenger safety over profit, reported Thai Rath.

 

Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

 

-- 2024-11-26

 

 

 

[lordgrinz]

Daily police patrol enforcement of driving laws and behaviors, start writing tons of tickets, start towing illegally parked cars, tow away vehicles that are uninsured/unregistered/unroadworthy, arrest and tow anyone driving without a license. Fixing the problem is easy, all they have to do is get the lazy RTP mafia to go out and do their jobs. The longer the lawlessness goes on the worse things will get, and Thailand is one of the worst in the world for road safety. The WHO has already commented on it, and the lack of follow through by the Thai government is well known.

 

https://www.who.int/thailand/activities/ccs-roadsafety

[Artisi]

Yeah, yeah, yeah - mai bpen rai. 

 

It's blatently obvious what / where the problem is, will it change - certainly not in the near future as there is no incentive to correct all the basic problems as everyone is too busy promoting high-speed trains, submarines and other hair-brain schemes. 

[proton]

Overcrowding is one thing I hate about buses, sometimes I just wont get on one. Mrs did once when I refused. She said it got so packed she could not get one of her feet on the floor.

[CallumWK]

Great AI article again, with no facts or numbers. So if there were last year 2 accidents, and this year 4, that means 100% increase.

 

And then there is this.

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

A tragic example occurred on 1 October 2024, when a school excursion bus caught fire on Vibhavadi Road in Bangkok, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.

 

2023, wow, time flies

[Gottfrid]

Hereby a car, bus, truck or motorbike driven by a Thai is now renamed to rolling coffin.