17 Dead in Bus Crash on Hillside Road in Prachinburi

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures from responders.

 

A devastating crash in Prachinburi province has claimed the lives of at least 17 people after a bus overturned in the early hours of the morning of 26 February. The crash occurred at kilometre marker 210+500 on Highway 304, near the descent of Khao San Pu Thon in Bu Phram subdistrict, Nadi district.

 

The bus was carrying a group from Bueng Kan province on an educational study tour when the driver lost control and overturned at approximately 03:00. Emergency response teams from Nadi district, including officers from the Kabin Buri Highway Department, Nadi Highway Police, Wang Khon Daeng Police Station, and rescue teams from the Sajja Phutthatham Foundation, were quickly dispatched to the scene.

 

Authorities confirmed that 17 people died at the scene and at about another 35 injured. Rescue teams provided first aid to the injured before transporting them to Nadi Hospital and Kabin Buri Hospital for further treatment.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Authorities are examining potential factors such as driver fatigue, vehicle condition, and road conditions. The Nadi District Office, in coordination with relevant agencies, has been instructed to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the precise cause and implement preventive measures.

 

This tragic accident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety in Thailand, particularly on steep highways. Highway 304, a crucial route connecting eastern and northeastern provinces, has long been notorious for its challenging terrain and frequent accidents.

 

 

-- 2025-02-26

 

 

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

The entire top of the bus ripped off there. 

 

It's about time they started clamping down on these buses made in upcountry workshops and started enforcing proper international safety standards including crash testing etc. 

 

These types of buses are complete deathtraps.

 

[worgeordie]

Most drivers don't know how to descend a steep hill safely , you can see

them in front of you, brake lights on all the time , instead of using a low

gear and letting the engine do the braking , they either freewheel down

to save fuel , or have it in high gear with foot on the pedal ,so when they

need to brake , they have brake fade and cannot stop..... 

 

regards worgeordie

[MalcolmB]

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

overturned at approximately 03:20.

Probably dozed off. It is a difficult time to stay awake. 
 

RIP

[realfunster]

19 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

The entire top of the bus ripped off there. 

 

It's about time they started clamping down on these buses made in upcountry workshops and started enforcing proper international safety standards including crash testing etc. 

 

These types of buses are complete deathtraps.

 

Indeed.

 

I also note the 3am crash time. There was a crash yesterday where a lady was making a long drive in the early hours, this seems to be a more prevalent habit here. Darkness and possible fatigue don’t help your chances…

[realfunster]

Thinking about it - we had that horrible Bangkok bus fire a while back - I thought they were meant to be checking all these “Frankenstein” buses for fire and safety standards. It’s too early to say but the fact the entire roof peeled off suggests this may have been a fairly shoddy bus.

[KhunLA]

38 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

The entire top of the bus ripped off there. 

 

It's about time they started clamping down on these buses made in upcountry workshops and started enforcing proper international safety standards including crash testing etc. 

 

These types of buses are complete deathtraps.

 

 

I think the bus is innocent, as the driver probably was at fault 

 

18 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Most drivers don't know how to descend a steep hill safely , you can see

them in front of you, brake lights on all the time , instead of using a low

gear and letting the engine do the braking , they either freewheel down

to save fuel , or have it in high gear with foot on the pedal ,so when they

need to brake , they have brake fade and cannot stop..... 

 

regards worgeordie

 

And yet, most bus drivers don't crash  

[Aussie999]

21 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Most drivers don't know how to descend a steep hill safely , you can see

them in front of you, brake lights on all the time , instead of using a low

gear and letting the engine do the braking , they either freewheel down

to save fuel , or have it in high gear with foot on the pedal ,so when they

need to brake , they have brake fade and cannot stop..... 

 

regards worgeordie

I agree, but will add, we  know these buses are not well maintained, we know they are often built on old, very old, chassis, with old engines, I think even in low gear there may not be enough compression, to slow the vehicle.

[Aussie999]

3 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

 

I think the bus is innocent, as the driver probably was at fault 

 

 

And yet, most bus drivers don't crash  

And yet, many do, far more than should.

[Aussie999]

18 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

Probably dozed off. It is a difficult time to stay awake. 
 

RIP

I don't know all countries, but in Australia they often have 2 drivers, one driving, the other resting, they are also, by law, limited to distance and time they can travel, without a mandatory break.

[KhunLA]

3 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

And yet, many do, far more than should.

Be nice if there was some stats to back up that assumption.

[mikebell]

Another statistic to add to Thailand's roads being named the 2nd most dangerous in the world ably assisted by the lack of a police force.

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE

Bus Crash on Thai Mountain Road Kills 17

 

Picture from responders

 

A devastating bus accident on Thailand’s Khao San Pu Ton mountain road in Prachinburi province has claimed the lives of 17 people, with many others injured. The bus, carrying a group from the Phran Charoen subdistrict municipality in Bueng Kan, overturned in the early hours of the morning due to brake failure.

 

The crash occurred at approximately 03:00 on February 26. Local police, emergency responders, and rescue teams arrived at the scene to find the Scania bus overturned on its side, with its roof torn apart and severe damage throughout the vehicle. Authorities closed the downhill section of the road to manage the rescue operation.

 

Initial reports suggest that the driver lost control of the vehicle due to brake failure. The tour group was part of a study visit on waste bank management, travelling to Rayong province. The convoy consisted of three buses carrying around 200 people in total, with the ill-fated vehicle being the third in the group.

 

According to eyewitnesses, the bus struck road barriers along a 100-metre stretch before crashing. Emergency responders discovered several victims trapped beneath the wreckage, while others were thrown from the vehicle. Of the 49 passengers on board, 16 died at the scene, with another succumbing to injuries at Nadi Hospital. There was also a driver and bus boy onboard at the time of the crash.

 

Medical teams transported the injured to several nearby hospitals, including Nadi Hospital and Kabin Buri Hospital. Some passengers suffered severe head injuries, fractured bones, and lacerations, while others complained of chest pains and back injuries.

 

One witness, a lorry driver following the bus, recounted how he saw the vehicle struggling to control its speed before the crash. Authorities suspect that the driver may have skipped a mandatory stop at a designated checkpoint, which could have contributed to the brakes overheating.

 

The Khao Pu Thon descent is notorious for crashes, with frequent reports of crashes on the steep and winding section of road. Authorities have repeatedly warned drivers to follow safety protocols, particularly in checking their brakes before descending.

 

Local officials, including Nadi District Chief Somchai Phutthasena, confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine whether negligence or mechanical failure was responsible for the tragedy.

 

-- 2025-02-26

 

 

[hotsun]

Just the plane and train for me. Alot less likely for them to screw those up

[MalcolmB]

27 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

I don't know all countries, but in Australia they often have 2 drivers, one driving, the other resting, they are also, by law, limited to distance and time they can travel, without a mandatory break.

Unnecessary in Thailand, just some coffee, Red Bull, Kratom and a couple of yaba pills.

[Aussie999]

26 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Be nice if there was some stats to back up that assumption.

be nice if you had stats to back up your. But I simply see what's reported, on here, and thai media... bus accidents that should not happen, many also not reported, but we see them on their sides, roofs etc, on the side of the road.

 

[bkk6060]

Sickening really, unbelievably sad.

[Robert_Smith]

Another horrific crash.

 

When will Thailand train their drivers properly?

 

regards,

bob.

[edwinchester]

58 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Be nice if there was some stats to back up that assumption.

 

[Ralf001]

1 hour ago, MalcolmB said:

Probably dozed off. It is a difficult time to stay awake. 
 

RIP

 

They should remove Yaba from the naughty list... Years ago it was sold OTC at petrol stations to keep the drowsiness at bay !

[Mr Meeseeks]

3 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

They should remove Yaba from the naughty list... Years ago it was sold OTC at petrol stations to keep the drowsiness at bay !

 

Not since the early 90's or even before. It has been illegal since I got here in 1993.

[watchcat]

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

when the driver lost control and overturned

 

That's it, I'll never use a bus again in my life in this country

[watchcat]

45 minutes ago, Robert_Smith said:

When will Thailand train their drivers properly?

 

You can't train/teach stupid people, and the teachers have realized this so they have stopped doing it

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, Aussie999 said:

be nice if you had stats to back up your. But I simply see what's reported, on here, and thai media... bus accidents that should not happen, many also not reported, but we see them on their sides, roofs etc, on the side of the road.

 

Don't need stats, as 'most' don't crash.   I'm out and about quite a bit, and people, trucks, buses & cars drive just fine.  Not much difference from the USA, and actually I feel safer when on my scooter in TH, than I did in the USA.

[Ralf001]

16 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

Not since the early 90's or even before. It has been illegal since I got here in 1993.

 

do you not understand what "years ago" means?

[lordgrinz]

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

Don't need stats, as 'most' don't crash.   I'm out and about quite a bit, and people, trucks, buses & cars drive just fine.  Not much difference from the USA, and actually I feel safer when on my scooter in TH, than I did in the USA.

 

I'm convinced you are delusional.

[KhunLA]

9 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

I'm convinced you are delusional.

In my world, 'most', means more than half, and I'm pretty sure, not ever close to half the bus drivers are crashing.   

 

And I'm the delusional one 

 

The hate of TH & Thais is so blinding ... 😎

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Death Toll Rises to 18 in Prachinburi Tour Bus Crash, 32 Injured

Pictures from responders

 

The death toll from the bus crash in Prachinburi province has risen to 18, with 32 others confirmed injured, following an update from emergency response centre.

 

Initial reports confirmed 17 fatalities, but another victim succumbed to their injuries at 08:34 bringing the total number of deaths to 18. A temporary mortuary has been set up for relatives to collect the dead.

 

 

According to authorities, 19 of the injured passengers are being treated at Nadi Hospital, while 13 others have been admitted to Kabin Buri Hospital. Some victims are reported to be in critical condition.
 

Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, with preliminary concerns focusing on the steep descent, potential mechanical failure, and driver fatigue. Highway 304, a crucial connection between the eastern and northeastern regions of Thailand, is known for its challenging terrain and history of accidents, particularly on the mountain section where the crash occurred.

 

In response to the tragedy, the Prachinburi Provincial Road Safety Centre has urged relevant agencies to intensify road safety measures, including stricter vehicle inspections and additional warning signs on hazardous stretches of highway. Officials have also pledged to work closely with transport authorities to try to prevent similar incidents.

 

 

-- 2025-02-26

 

[watchcat]

1 hour ago, mikebell said:

Another statistic to add to Thailand's roads being named the 2nd most dangerous in the world

 

 

Nothing wrong with the roads it's the drivers.

[hotsun]

Not many posting on this. I suppose 17 dead on the road is just normal here