Tourist Bus Overturns in Phuket: 20 Injured

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture from responders.

 

A tourist bus carrying around 38 Russian passengers lost control and overturned on the winding road between Kamala and Kuan Yak Junction in Kathu district, Phuket. The crash, which occurred during the afternoon of 22 March, was reported to be caused by brake failure as the vehicle descended a steep curve, leading to multiple injuries. Bystanders were seen trying to break windows to assist passengers.

 

Emergency response teams quickly arrived at the scene, working to extract injured passengers from the wreckage. Initial reports indicate that approximately 20 people sustained injuries, though none have been reported as life-threatening. The injured have been transported to Patong Hospital by emergency rescue units from the Kusoldharm Foundation.

 

Authorities deployed a crane to remove the overturned bus, and the Kamala Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO) has taken measures to mitigate further risks by spreading sand over oil spills on the road surface.

 

Local Member of Parliament, Chalermpong Saengdee, who represents Phuket’s 2nd constituency, visited the scene along with his team to coordinate assistance efforts.

 

Kamala’s emergency medical team was among the first responders, initially transporting five injured passengers to hospital. Additional ambulance units from the Narenthorn Emergency Medical Service Centre and nearby facilities were called in to support the operation, as a significant number of tourists suffered minor injuries.

 

Authorities are now investigating the exact cause of the crash, with particular focus on the bus’s braking system and overall vehicle maintenance. Tour operators and transportation services have been urged to conduct thorough safety checks to prevent similar incidents on Phuket’s challenging mountain roads.

 

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by steep and curving routes frequently used by tourist transport in Phuket. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and provide necessary support to those affected.

 

-- 2025-03-22

 

 

Video courtesy of Phuketinsta.

 

 

[richard_smith237]

Not much to say really… 

 

I’m not sure if this is a copy & paste report from last weeks accident. & the week before that… & every week for the past 20 odd years…

 

The frequency of these bus accidents is astonishing!!!

 

Kwildo will tell me I’m racist for making that comment… 😴

[Geoffggi]

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The crash, which occurred during the afternoon of 22 March, was reported to be caused by brake failure

 

The old faithful !!!

[KhunBENQ]

Other country rules for buses:

Full technical inspection every year.

Dedicated break inspection every three months(!).

 

Try to enforce this in Thailand.

 

[connda]

This one even made international news.

[connda]

36 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Other country rules for buses:

Full technical inspection every year.

Dedicated break inspection every three months(!).

 

Try to enforce this in Thailand.

 

I still remember sitting at an intersection next to a Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai bus which had tires without tread.  Amazing Thailand.
The government it seems does little in the way of regulating the safety of buses which is why there are so many incidences of bus crashes. This isn't rocket science.  It's assigning government safety inspectors to regularly inspect this form of public transportation.  Or - mandate that buses pull into truck weight stations for visual inspections.  If there was a will, there would be a way.  I don't think there is any will.  TIT.

[ElwoodP]

Troll post and replies removed.

[Georgealbert]

These are dash-cam footage of the crash.

 

 

Authorities have confirmed that there were no serious injuries and all casualties were discharged after treatment.

 

Another dash-cash courtesy of Phuketinsta

 

[LivinginKata]

Nothing to do with brakes. He was gunning it to get up the hill but too fast and lost control and bus  tilted over. Bus driver no idea to change down to help brake and have power to get up hill.

 

[richard_smith237]

2 hours ago, LivinginKata said:

Nothing to do with brakes. He was gunning it to get up the hill but too fast and lost control and bus  tilted over. Bus driver no idea to change down to help brake and have power to get up hill.

 

You mean.....  the driver allowed speed to build rolling down the hill to attempt to carry momentum up the hill after the corner, but lost control on the corner due to the excessive speed....

 

Quite possible, but outrageously reckless - he should be substance tested, no one with any sober judgement would be attempting to take the corner at that speed... 

 

Either the owner of the bus is at fault for not ensuring the vehicle is maintained (brake failure).

Or the bus driver is for reckless driving.

 

 

So many incidents blamed on brake failure - how often are these vehicles really checked ?

 

 

[LivinginKata]

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

You mean.....  the driver allowed speed to build rolling down the hill to attempt to carry momentum up the hill after the corner, but lost control on the corner due to the excessive speed....

 

 

 

 I mean there was no downhill on that long flat stretch. The uphill start just before the bend. He was likely building up speed along the flat. 

[richard_smith237]

10 minutes ago, LivinginKata said:

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

You mean.....  the driver allowed speed to build rolling down the hill to attempt to carry momentum up the hill after the corner, but lost control on the corner due to the excessive speed....

 

 

 I mean there was no downhill on that long flat stretch. The uphill start just before the bend. He was likely building up speed along the flat. 

 

Before the turn through which the driver entered at speed and 'over steered and flipped the bus'....   There is a downhill stretch...  

 

 

The picture below is looking back up that hill, down which the bus sped (towards the camera position) before entering the corner.

 

 

[ronster]

Driving licence from a lucky bag it seems ! 🙈

[factual monk]

Praying all are safe... 

[Katatonica]

19 hours ago, LivinginKata said:

Nothing to do with brakes. He was gunning it to get up the hill but too fast and lost control and bus  tilted over. Bus driver no idea to change down to help brake and have power to get up hill.

 

Or he was just determined to overtake the motorbike he starts to pass on the corner, in the video. It probably passed him earlier which annoyed him. I do not see any brake lights on the bus going into the corner, or at all. The bikers were lucky to stop in time.

[Classic Ray]

Modern coaches have deceleration devices to assist long descents without excessive use of the brakes. Also early change down of gears by a competent driver will assist deceleration.

 

Unfortunately both modern coaches and competent drivers are in a minority in Thailand.

[hotchilli]

On 3/23/2025 at 3:11 AM, Georgealbert said:

Authorities are now investigating the exact cause of the crash, with particular focus on the bus’s braking system and overall vehicle maintenance.

Maybe focus on the driver too.

[AhFarangJa]

A bit off the taxi in the first video turned off instead of stopping to see if He could help in any way. At least stop and dial emergency services.

[portisaacozzy]

On 3/23/2025 at 3:34 AM, richard_smith237 said:

Not much to say really… 

 

I’m not sure if this is a copy & paste report from last weeks accident. & the week before that… & every week for the past 20 odd years…

 

The frequency of these bus accidents is astonishing!!!

 

Kwildo will tell me I’m racist for making that comment… 😴

i wish it was racist instead of being unable to drive a bus and the local goverment dont care as long as they can get away with it !

[eddie61]

21 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

These are dash-cam footage of the crash.

 

 

Authorities have confirmed that there were no serious injuries and all casualties were discharged after treatment.

 

Another dash-cash courtesy of Phuketinsta

 

Damned curves just sneak up on you

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

Driver blind in one eye and can't see out of the other one.

[newbee2022]

Let me guess:

Slippery road 

Brake failure 

Mobile Phone

or simply stupidity?

[simon43]

22 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

These are dash-cam footage of the crash.

 

 

Authorities have confirmed that there were no serious injuries and all casualties were discharged after treatment.

 

Another dash-cash courtesy of Phuketinsta

 

Lol!  Bus driving far too fast on a moderate slope.  Does that bus not have low gears to engage to slow it down?

 

[quote]

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by steep and curving routes frequently used by tourist transport in Phuket.

[/quote]

 

NO! NO! NO! - this incident serves as a reminder of how badly-maintained buses are, how  badly-trained bus drivers are, and how the brain-size of a typical Thai bus driver is similar to the size of a pea.....

[craighj]

A winding piece of road???  More excuses to justify accidents!

 

Looks like a gentle curve, when will Thailand do something about the poor drivers???  Likely never I guess.

 

 

[kuzmabruk]

On 3/23/2025 at 9:20 AM, KhunBENQ said:

Full technical inspection every year

In Thailand the inspection is done when the vehicle is new before the first owner takes possession.  
 

Do vehicles need maintenance.  Is that you are referring to?  I don’t think Thai authorities or Thai people understand maintenance.  

[Wrwest]

23 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

These are dash-cam footage of the crash.

 

 

Authorities have confirmed that there were no serious injuries and all casualties were discharged after treatment.

 

Another dash-cash courtesy of Phuketinsta

 

Wow! To my eyes, bus turning at too fast a speed. His tires lifting off the road. My judgement ... loss of control due to excessive speed.

[Bruce Aussie]

BS the brakes work the brain that control the pedals a different matter.🤣

[ChipButty]

It's like the bus mounted the pavement as he is turning left and lifted the bus up and over on it's side, 

[cheerz]

Another... brakes not working. Just continues to happen but Gov does nothing other than talk 

[watchcat]

On 3/23/2025 at 2:57 AM, connda said:

I don't think there is any will.  TIT

 

Will cost money thats the reason.