Passengers Escape Fiery Inferno as Bangkok-Chiang Mai Bus Bursts Into Flames

[Nick Carter icp]

4 hours ago, Baba Naba said:

Flights to Bangkok are CHEAP! You can get flights for the same price as a bus ticket on Kayak!

 

   Some passengers board and disembark  along the way  , cannot do that with a flight 

[Georgealbert]

19 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

UNECE regulation UN R118, which requires bus interiors to be made with non-flammable materials, was officially introduced in Thailand in 2022, but does not apply to buses made before then, or buses adapted using older chassis.

Thailand's gradual introduction over the past 15 years of regulations for bus safety laid out by the UNECE, the UN Economic Commission for Europe, a body responsible for establishing international standards in many areas. But application of these rules have been slow and piecemeal.

“The problem is most of the manufacturers in Thailand cannot reach that standard,”

“Also, the regulations only apply to new buses. But most of the buses operating in Thailand are old."

Modifying old bus chassis with new bodywork is a local industry, where safety standards are for the most part far behind those in many other countries.

The inspection of the gas system. Which is a visual inspection only applys world wide.

The installation of the gas system has to have a qualified installer ( not a backyard mechanice )                           CNG/LPG  are safe used World wide,  Major problem in Thailand is the greed and corruption.                                                                                                                                        

Fully agree with you, but can I just clarify that the term non-flammable in the context of UNECE Regulation UN R118 refers to materials that do not ignite or support combustion under specific test conditions outlined in the regulation. UN R118 establishes safety standards primarily for interior materials used in road vehicles, particularly buses and coaches, to reduce fire hazards.

 

Under UN R118, materials must meet specific criteria for flame propagation, melting behavior, and other fire resistance properties. The regulation defines tests such as:

 

1. Horizontal Burning Rate Test: Determines whether a material burns and how quickly the flame propagates horizontally.

 

2. Vertical Burning Rate Test: Assesses whether flames spread vertically on a material and at what rate.

 

3. Dripping Test: Examines whether molten material drips and ignites other surfaces.

 

A material classified as non-flammable would typically not ignite, propagate flames, or produce flaming droplets during these tests, ensuring it meets the stringent safety requirements of UN R118.

 

This classification is critical for vehicle interiors to enhance passenger safety in the event of a fire.

 

This allows passengers to safety evacuate the bus, but in a fully developed fire the material will burn.

[kwilco]

10 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

A few are hardcore brown nosers who stick up for locals and try to downgrade bad behavior, thinking it might get them to look good in their eyes.

he's just an ignorant know nothing who thinks he disgrees but can't come up with a cherent counter argument so he repeatedly sealions.

You information is totally tangential to the point which is that buses and coaches in Thailand are substandard on safety due to inadequate legislation and enforcement.

Did you see the tilt tests being tried a few years ago?

[Aussie999]

Is it my imagination,  but Thailand seems to have a high nu.ber of bus fires.

[kwilco]

31 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

Is it my imagination,  but Thailand seems to have a high nu.ber of bus fires.

the media obviously has some hand in this. You'd have to gather stats from countries all over the world to positively come to any accurate conclusion - incredibly tedious and pointless  - however I'd suggest that you would be just wasting your time - the problem is the overall safety record of buses in THailand and what can be done to mitigate the problem

[Jiggo]

[nglodnig]

3 hours ago, cardinalblue said:

What about my surfboard and kayak?

Don't forget your skis! 🙂 

[Sig]

I've had good experience with Nakhonchai Air (maybe 4 rides?). It's been a few years since I took a bus, but I recall that they gave their drivers a breathalyzer test before setting out. In the end, the roads are a lousy deal. There are way too many hazards. And driving a big vehicle like that on those roads is sure not something I'd want to do.

[black tabby12345]

Viriyah Tour.

 

That is the bus operator I have used a couple of times in the past.

I was lucky that didn't happen while I was on board.

[black tabby12345]

Looks like Thailand is playing with the technology they can't handle.

CNG-Powered buses.

Environmentally friendly.

But higher risk of fatality to the people riding.

 

[0ffshore360]

21 minutes ago, Sig said:

I've had good experience with Nakhonchai Air (maybe 4 rides?). It's been a few years since I took a bus, but I recall that they gave their drivers a breathalyzer test before setting out. In the end, the roads are a lousy deal. There are way too many hazards. And driving a big vehicle like that on those roads is sure not something I'd want to do.

I have used NCA routinely over many years and have never had any reason to fault them overall.

Not all their units are new but always driven responsibly and to schedule.

 

[Kinok Farang]

8 hours ago, CM Dad said:

I will never travel by bus in Thailand, nor will I allow any of my family members to do so.  

Man of principle.

Much better by motorbike.

[ChrisKC]

5 hours ago, jmw said:

I don't think Kayak is an airline, but it may be a boat!

"Kayak" is also a palindrome

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Burning Tour Bus in Lampang: Fuel Leak Suspected

 

Picture from responders.

 

Passengers narrowly escaped a devastating fire that engulfed a tour bus in Lampang on the night of December 29. Authorities suspect a fuel leak as the cause of the blaze, which destroyed the vehicle.

 

According to preliminary investigations, the fire is believed to have started due to a leaking fuel line that dripped onto the hot engine, vaporised and ignited. The fire spread rapidly, consuming the engine compartment before engulfing both upper and lower passenger decks. Fortunately, all passengers escaped unscathed, though some suffered shock, with one person reportedly fainting during the commotion.

 

On December 30, officers from the Koh Kha Police Station, led by Deputy Inspector Pol. Lt. Col. Kraisinh Wangnaikul, and forensic experts from Division 5, conducted an on-site investigation. Initial findings suggest that the bus, registered in 2022, carried around 50 passengers on its journey. However, at the time of the fire, only 20 passengers remained onboard, as most had disembarked earlier in Tak and Kamphaeng Phet provinces.

 

Pol. Lt. Col. Kraisinh stated, “The remaining passengers intended to disembark in Lampang, but we cannot confirm their identities as the passenger manifest was destroyed in the fire. We will need to cross-check records from the departure station in Bangkok.”

 

The damage to the bus is estimated at over one million baht. Further forensic examinations are continuing.

 

-- 2024-12-31

 

 

[DUNROAMIN]

I had my first and last experience with 3 hr bus trip to Ubon Ratchathani to catch a flight. Half way through the trip at a stop the buses front door jammed and would not open again, only middle door would open, very skinny opening down some steps at right angles. Hate to think how a full bus of people would get out in an emergency. Now looking back the bus would not be roadworthy in a western country.

[sikishrory]

19 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

That was the first thought that sprung to my mind - was this LPG tanks ???

 

 

Of course nothing mentioned about that. Sshhh

[Aussie999]

22 hours ago, kwilco said:

the media obviously has some hand in this. You'd have to gather stats from countries all over the world to positively come to any accurate conclusion - incredibly tedious and pointless  - however I'd suggest that you would be just wasting your time - the problem is the overall safety record of buses in THailand and what can be done to mitigate the problem

don't need any stats...we see enough reports of Thai bus fires, it is irrelevant what happens in other countries.

[jcojco]

On 12/30/2024 at 11:59 AM, CM Dad said:

I will never travel by bus in Thailand, nor will I allow any of my family members to do so.  

but will you let them take a plane to south korea or a boeing 737 to anywhere?

and what about driving a car that kills tens of thousand every year ?

Although I must add that I share your decision for myself and my family...  only train/flights or my own car and I never go tour on Songkran nor between Christmas and New Year or departure a few days before and drive back a few days after the official Thai holidays.

[kwilco]

1 hour ago, Aussie999 said:

don't need any stats...we see enough reports of Thai bus fires, it is irrelevant what happens in other countries.

that's exactly why we need the stats - how naive are you????

[kwilco]

1 hour ago, jcojco said:

but will you let them take a plane to south korea or a boeing 737 to anywhere?

and what about driving a car that kills tens of thousand every year ?

Although I must add that I share your decision for myself and my family...  only train/flights or my own car and I never go tour on Songkran nor between Christmas and New Year or departure a few days before and drive back a few days after the official Thai holidays.

deaths per vehicle miles

Death per 100k

Deaths per number of vehicles

Deaths per number of vehicles per mile

 

THere are many ways of looking at road and travel safety.

[Captain Flack]

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[Aussie999]

1 hour ago, kwilco said:

that's exactly why we need the stats - how naive are you????

mate, you are wrong, I am not comparing with any other country... only Thailand, you can go off on your own crusade, but my comment is simply about the numbers in Thailand... now go away.

[kwilco]

1 hour ago, Aussie999 said:

mate, you are wrong, I am not comparing with any other country... only Thailand, you can go off on your own crusade, but my comment is simply about the numbers in Thailand... now go away.

"It seems you don't understand - I'm not comparing to other countries - I'm talking about facts as opposed to conjecture.

You cannot get information about the numbers of accidents in Thailand just from the papers and headlines

Drivers and passengers of buses represent about 1% of all road deaths in Thailand. by IATSS

[Aussie999]

11 hours ago, kwilco said:

"It seems you don't understand - I'm not comparing to other countries - I'm talking about facts as opposed to conjecture.

You cannot get information about the numbers of accidents in Thailand just from the papers and headlines

Drivers and passengers of buses represent about 1% of all road deaths in Thailand. by IATSS

mate, you raise the issue of other countries, which is irrelevant to any of my comments, and irrelevant to the posted article... I find it hard for you to not understand... this is about Thailand.
Anyway I cannot talk to a thick wall... have a nice 2025

[Woke to Sounds of Horking]

Nothing wrong with buses in TH.

 

I've taken Cherdchai Tour probably 10 times between BKK and Trat.

 

Exceptional.

 

Free Coke, biscuit and onboard toilet.

[kwilco]

2 hours ago, Woke to Sounds of Horking said:

Nothing wrong with buses in TH.

 

I've taken Cherdchai Tour probably 10 times between BKK and Trat.

 

Exceptional.

 

Free Coke, biscuit and onboard toilet.

 

2 hours ago, Woke to Sounds of Horking said:

Free Coke, biscuit and onboard toilet

I'm sure this will make you feel much better in the event of a crash or fire.

[Samh]

On 12/30/2024 at 2:15 PM, richard_smith237 said:

 

That was the first thought that sprung to my mind - was this LPG tanks ???

 

 

I have seen many lorries with multiple cylinders that I assumed were compressed air. Never thought why you need multiple compressed air cylinders. Now I realise what they are.

[kiwikeith]

On 12/30/2024 at 5:56 PM, Dave0206 said:

I'm not sure if it's lpg but if so when are they going to ban the use on buses ? Going by the decrease in use price difference must be minimal now

It was either LPG or a Diesel leak, LPG would be my bet as diesel is harder to ignite .

If this is the case then the government kneeds a rap over the knuckles as someone has slacked off checking buses.

His name is Mr Brown.

[actonion]

Remembering of course that Thai's dont do maintenance, on anything...As my Thai Mrs.  often tells me,  Checking  Engine Oil, / Cooling system, and Tyre pressures, are a waste of time.. she knows everything,    thats why she thought the Footbrake on her PCX  was a Footrest, dozy mare