17 Dead in Bus Crash on Hillside Road in Prachinburi

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Death Toll Rises to 19 in Bus Crash

 

The death toll from the horrific bus accident in Prachinburi province has risen to 19, following the death of another passenger in hospital, health officials have confirmed.

 

 

-- 2025-02-26

 

[Captor]

1 hour ago, black tabby12345 said:

Since my settlement here in early 2000s, I have travelled almost countless times, by long distance coaches.  

Especially during my visa run/repeat tourist visa application period, before 2012.

 

The most shocking  sight I have ever seen during that period was, one  bus(in a overturned state) laid on the steep slope outside narrow passage. Looked like native vegetation(tall trees) stopped it from further fall.

And that spot was only less than 30 minutes from Udon Thani(if my memory is correct).

 

I now feel it was sheer luck that I could stay safe and alive, without any major incidents; other than occasional a/c breakdown, or a few hours of delay in their operation...

I have also noted the road fences in Thailand having this shape that makes it possible for vehicles to go over it with high speed/pressure.

[Chongalulu]

48 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

simply said 'I feel safer on a MC here', nothing about Thai roads being safe.   They are called accidents for a reason.

Feeling safer and " being safer" are frequently two different things. Like people's fear of flying when it's statically the safest form of trouble. Statistically being on a motorcycle here is not in your favour - and really that's all that counts...

[Georgealbert]

ANALYSIS
Reflecting on 18 Years of Tragedy: More Lives Lost in Another Double-Decker Bus Crash

 

Picture from responders.

 

The crash today, involving a double-decker bus carrying a delegation from Phon Charoen Municipality in Bueng Kan, which overturned while descending Phu Thon Hill in Prachinburi province, left the bus was severely damaged, with the roof torn off, and many passengers were ejected from the vehicle.

 

This incident adds to a long history of double-decker bus accidents that have sparked ongoing debates about their safety. Civil society groups have previously advocated for the abolition of double-decker buses in public transport due to their dangerous track record.

 

A History of Fatal Crashes

 

Since 2007, there have been numerous fatal crashes involving double-decker buses, resulting in deaths. Some notable incidents include:

 

• 19 January 2007: A double-decker bus carrying teachers from Chanthaburi overturned on a steep curve, resulting in 21 fatalities and over 30 injuries.

 

• 10 October 2008: A bus carrying students from Khon Kaen lost control on a hill, leading to 21 deaths and 27 injuries.

 

• 28 February 2014: A double-decker bus carrying students from Nakhon Ratchasima collided with a trailer truck, killing 17 and injuring 45.

 

• 9 March 2017: A sightseeing bus fell off a cliff near the Phu Thon Shrine in Prachinburi, killing six and injuring around 50.

 

• 21 March 2018: A tour bus from Kalasin overturned after crossing a median, leading to 18 deaths and 32 injuries.

 

• 3 June 2023: A double-decker bus transporting village heads and local leaders resulted in two deaths and over 30 injuries.

 

According to a report by the Department of Land Transport’s Office of Transport Safety, there were 54,185 registered public buses and 57,792 non-scheduled buses in 2024. Despite these numbers, the recurring incidents, have raised serious concerns about the safety standards of double-decker buses.

 

As the country mourns the latest victims, there are renewed calls for action to improve safety regulations surrounding double-decker buses. The ongoing pattern of such devastating crashes highlights a systemic issue that has yet to be addressed adequately.

 

-- 2025-02-26

 

[kwilco]

7 hours 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

rubbish

[mran66]

45 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

UPDATE
Fatal Bus Crash in Prachinburi: Multiple Casualties and Insurance Compensation Details

 

Officials at Nadi Hospital.
 

According to officials, the bus involved in the crash was covered by compulsory motor insurance (Por Ror Bor), which provides compensation of 500,000 baht per deceased individual. Additionally, third-party insurance coverage offers the same amount for fatalities, while personal accident insurance provides 50,000 baht per passenger and driver in case of death. Injured passengers are also eligible for up to 80,000 baht per person under the insurance scheme.

 

 

... First things first in this story.. Money number one...not sure if it is positive or negative spin to the story. 

[Moonlover]

7 hours 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 would have thought it unlikely that  the roof would be ripped off in an accident that resulted in the vehicle landing on its side.

 

More likely the roof was cut off by the rescuers to gain access. It's a common practice.

[mran66]

52 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

UPDATE

".. . the driver attempted to shift gears from third to second, but the brakes and gearbox failed due to a loss of air pressure"

 

555 the funny explanations start coming quick. Never heard truck brakes not to stop the vehicle if air pressure is lost, rather the opposite. 

[Myaimistrue]

I was once the third car behind a bus going down a steep mountain in Kanchanaburi. He was going so slow, correctly, that I dropped back and lost sight of him around some curves. Then, rounding a curve I noticed the overhead wires shaking, but I didn’t know why. Then ahead I could see something on a curve that looked out of place. Once I got closer I realized it was the bottom of the bus.  Just like in the photo, he lost it on a curve and the top of the bus was shaved off. As I approached the bus with a few other people, it was completely quiet. I asked one of them in Thai if there was anyone on the bus, they said it was full. Gradually muffled noises turned into groans, then screams. It was like a zombie apocalypse, helping bloody people escape the wreckage until the EMT’s came. I left and later learned that nine people had died.

[KhunLA]

15 minutes ago, Chongalulu said:

Feeling safer and " being safer" are frequently two different things. Like people's fear of flying when it's statically the safest form of trouble. Statistically being on a motorcycle here is not in your favour - and really that's all that counts...

People die in the statistically safest countries also.   The location is not the problem.  Peoples ability (and experience) to drive themselves, and how defensively they drive.

 

The only person making it safe for me to drive here, is me.  I don't need PoPo to enforce the law, or the laws to tell me how to drive.  Common sense kicks it.

 

I rarely drive 120 in the 120 kph allowed stretches of road, as they simply aren't made that good.  

 

I certainly don't pass, even though the line is broken, and passing allowed at many spots, as too close to blind hills or curves.   That's saying a lot, since have plenty of power, driving a BEV.

 

Aside from the helmetless people here, including farangs (too many), people, all simply drive way too fast.   Has nothing to do with enforcement, as I'm sure, many get plenty of speed camera tickets, and simply pay them.

 

I simply stay clear of all the idiots, though TBH, very few on open roads, excepted too many going fast, and safest place to be an idiot.   Work in progress, getting rid of many of the u-turns and cross traffic on the main highways; #1, 2, 4, 11, 31, 41 ... etc 👍

 

On topic ... don't know how you fall asleep on 304, as need to pay attention.  Guessing simply going too fast for conditions, or something else, at 0300 hrs.   Haven't read the whole thread, if already pointed out.

 

Although that is a 10+ hr drive, so maybe fell asleep, and always the saddest of reason to have an accident.  Way too avoidable.

[NorthernRyland]

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I think it simply comes down to respect.  As they all know someone, kids, wife, parents, that deserve respect while they also are out on their scooters.  Besides simple awareness, due to so many on the road.

 

Respect in Thailand? I get shown no respect. People constantly will race to cut me off at an intersection, pull out in front of me because they're bigger or pass at dangerously close levels to avoid slowing down. No respect at all here.

 

[NorthernRyland]

11 minutes ago, Myaimistrue said:

 Just like in the photo, he lost it on a curve and the top of the bus was shaved off.

Some years ago in Pai I was on my road bike going up the mountain and saw the fresh wreck of a bus that went off the road and got the entire top shaved off by a large tree limb. There was a still a body in the seat they didn't remove. It was a predictable long steep section followed by a sharp turn. Many accidents there. Since then they've put up a very significant cement shoulder but still crashes happen I'm sure, just you can't go off the side of the road so easily.

[Georgealbert]

29 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

I would have thought it unlikely that  the roof would be ripped off in an accident that resulted in the vehicle landing on its side.

 

More likely the roof was cut off by the rescuers to gain access. It's a common practice.

In this incident it is now reported that the bus hit the concrete barrier, fly over it and rolled onto its side, then struck the embankment, which ripped the roof off.

 

I have also seen initial responders videos and pictures, too gruesome to post, which show that the victims and casualties were thrown out of the bus by the impact and were found by initial responders on the ground. 
 

Yes I agree that roof removal, is very common to gain access and allow working space to deal with casualties, in this case the roof was ripped back by the impact and parts of the roof are under the rear of the overturned bus.

 

[Nicholas Paul KNIGHT]

My condolences to the families who lost loved ones. However a cautionary note to the Minister of Transport and all his lickspittles , again this accident highlighting  the almost non-existent training it appears and lack of any control; of driver training .

Air brakes are as they say require AIR , constant use depletes the reservoir and the slow speed does not allow it to be replenished .

Too often Thais use brakes instead of what should happen using a lower gear to go downhill, the engine is far better than brakes on large vehicles going downhill .

 

Most Thais I have spoken to agree but still fail to implement this safety feature. So again the country is dealing with loss of like which unless a mechanical fault ( not brake failure )_ is due to Driver error or lack of judgement AGAIN ..

 

About time like in many countries, Buis/ Coach drivers are regularly tested both in competence and health wise to ensure the safety of Paying Passengers. Sadly here life is cheap !!

 

[IrishInThailand]

Unfortunately in Thailand this is quite a normal occurrence. Do Thai's ever stop to think that they have no safety standards at all in anything they do, I wonder ?

 

Traffic laws are not always strictly enforced or  maybe NEVER !!!   It must be grim on the families for sure.   Sad news.  Make one wonder is that Patts to BKK mini van or bus for like two and 6 in old money  really  a ticket to oblivion !!

 

?

[ChrisY1]

3 hours ago, 1happykamper said:

About 5 years ago these double decker bused were banned. Yes? 

 

Very sad that so many died, due to what was very preventable... Better driver skills or a driver that was awake or a bus that wasn't overloaded....52 people seems like too many 😥😥😥

There is a height limit of 4.0m.....been in for a long time.  Double decker buses are no banned. 

However, there are so many buses that are over that limit, it was, as usual,  too difficult to manage. Whether being above 4.0m makes a lot of difference, I don't know.

[ikke1959]

TAT soft power to attrack tourists.. Why is nobody doing something about this kind of accidents... All busses should be checked before they are allowed to ride out, with decent driving times for the drivers and several drivers in a bus with a good education and responsibilty for the people they are carrying... But government, RTP and companies don't care about anything... Fines should be skyhigh and they will loose their license to open another similar business for lifetime.  But........ I keep on dreaming

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Coach Driver Charged with Reckless Driving After Fatal Crash in Prachinburi

 

Police have formally charged the driver of the bus with reckless driving causing death following the devastating crash at Khao Thon, Na Di District, Prachinburi.

 

The driver, whose name has not been disclosed, stated that at the time of the crash, he was driving in low gear at approximately 40 km/h. However, he admitted that he had failed to stop at the designated rest area checkpoint. As he began descending the mountain road, he realised that the brakes were no longer functioning, leading to the fatal crash.

 

Authorities are continuing their investigation and are considering additional charges against the driver. Police are also examining whether mechanical failure or negligence played a role in the tragedy.

 

 

Video showing the convoy of the Sawang Srivilai Bueng Kan Ambulances returning the victims to their home province.

 

-- 2025-02-26

 

[Aussie999]

6 hours 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.

You do not see the whole nation... Anyway, I'm through chatting with you, you come across as another Liverpool lou... Or is it joe

[Aussie999]

4 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

The larger long trip buses in Thailand have the 2 drivers in my experience

Well, I know Bangkok to Phuket, only one driver, which should have 2.

[trainman34014]

7 hours ago, Robert_Smith said:

Another horrific crash.

 

When will Thailand train their drivers properly?

 

regards,

bob.

Never gonna happen; they will talk a lot but never do anything about it.    You just can't fix stupid when stupid means you can't tell a Thai they are just no good at something or critsize them in any way and tell them they need to learn !

[Aussie999]

4 hours ago, simosiam72 said:

Or maybe they care just about save fuel and don't want to use low gear 

We're discussing safety

[Ctkong]

Double decker bus as in the accident has no place on trips with sharp twisting turns and steep downhill as the bus is not built for them. It is built for straight level highways mainly. Given the lack of strong safety structure in the middle level of the bus, it can be fatal if the bus overturns or goes down the embankment.

[OldmanJ]

Maybe driving on the wrong side of the road to fast with a tired driver and of course the brakes failed.

[Ctkong]

8 hours 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

Learning on the job ..using real life experiences and people for his training. 

[Ctkong]

8 hours ago, realfunster said:

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.

There is no structural engineering beams between the roof and bottom of bus. Only the thin body panels and glass panes holding the structure. Fabrications done locally so surface looking good is better than inherent safety . Life is cheap in Thailand and it reflects upon the buses too. 

[Spamhead]

2 hours ago, PomPolo said:

Hahahaha a very interesting set of points, but essentially reading into that you are saying Thai roads are safer? 🙂
I had to consult my AI for these stats and it doesn't look good for Thailand or the US for that matter!

• Thailand: ~32 motorcycle deaths per 100,000 people
• United States: ~6 motorcycle deaths per 100,000 people
• United Kingdom: ~0.7 motorcycle deaths per 100,000 people

Meaningless statistics unless its per 100,000 motorcyclists or per 100,000 journeys.

 

The numbers dont reflect the huge disparity between the number of motorcyclists in each country. 2023 figures for registered mototbikes and mopeds to be  22.5m and 1.3m respectively for Thailand and UK. 

[Samh]

9 hours ago, realfunster said:

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.

Yes I wondered quite recently how that testing was going. The authorities have been very silent after the initial tests. Wasn't there a bus crash recently of a bus crashing into a toll booth?

[Anthony mellows]

Never get any problems with air travel, as they are forced to meet international standards.

[Ctkong]

5 hours ago, khunjeff said:

 

Can anyone help me understand what this means? How would stopping at a checkpoint prevent overheated brakes? 🤔 

In asean countries, trucks and buses would stop at certain designated place in mountainous region for the brakes to cool down sufficiently . Sometimes they install water jets near the wheels to spray water directly onto the brake disc as they descend downhill.