School Trip Bus Catches Fire, All 35 Children Evacuated Safely

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath.

 

A school trip nearly ended in disaster when a bus carrying 35 primary school students caught fire on its way back to school. Fortunately, all students and teachers on board were safely evacuated before the flames took hold.

 

The incident occurred at approximately 17:40 on 24 March, on the Khlong Aeng–Bo Rai road in Bo Phloi, Bo Rai District, Trat Province. Emergency responders from Sawang Boonchuay Rescue Unit, alongside local municipal and sub-district authorities, were quickly dispatched to the scene.

 

 

Upon arrival, officials found a Chanthaburi-registered bus engulfed in smoke, with flames visible from the rear. Fire extinguishers were used to bring the situation under control, and after approximately 30 minutes, the fire was fully extinguished. Fortunately, all 35 students, accompanied by seven teachers, escaped unscathed.

 

According to the bus driver, 49-year-old Mr. Methee, the students from Wat Bo Phloi Rat Rangsan Community School had spent the day on an educational excursion to Ao Thammachart in Laem Ngop District. They were travelling in two buses when children in his vehicle reported that the air conditioning had stopped working and a burning smell was coming from the rear of the bus.

 

Sensing danger, Mr. Methee immediately pulled over to investigate and noticed smoke emerging from the back of the vehicle. Acting swiftly, he opened all the doors, including the emergency exit, ensuring that every student and teacher was safely evacuated before the fire spread.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the blaze was caused by a short circuit in the air conditioning system’s condenser fan. The fire broke out just 10 kilometres from the school, but thanks to the driver’s quick thinking, a possible tragedy was averted.

 

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

 

-- 2025-03-25

 

[Ralf001]

Fantastic Mr Methee, great job ensuring the children made it safely off the bus.

[yang123]

Another day, another fire on a bus.....😧

[twizzian]

My vehicles all have regular servicing, one of two reasons why I have never travelled on Buses & Mini vans for over 15 years

[hotchilli]

21 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

They were travelling in two buses when children in his vehicle reported that the air conditioning had stopped working and a burning smell was coming from the rear of the bus.

 

Sensing danger, Mr. Methee immediately pulled over to investigate and noticed smoke emerging from the back of the vehicle. Acting swiftly, he opened all the doors, including the emergency exit, ensuring that every student and teacher was safely evacuated before the fire spread.

Good reaction to the report of burning, at least he didn't say, don't worry and kept on driving

[AhFarangJa]

21 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

 

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Please let me help you with that.........MAIN-TE-NANCE.....

[ronster]

And it's groundhog day here again in the world of thai buses !  🙈

[hotsun]

If youve got kids and youre letting them go on school bus trips, what are you even doing

[mikebell]

Not the Sri Monkol bus I suffered on for 9 hours; the rear of the vehicle is intact.

[newbee2022]

Could have happened everywhere. Recently I read about some cases in Europe. A "Flix Bus" caught fire

[kuzmabruk]

These VIP buses are owned by Very Ignorant People

[Coxy]

Another bus another fire.  Still waiting for the final report on the tragic fire last  year  and haven’t heard of any charges yet being brought against this responsible 

[PomPolo]

21 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

spent the day on an educational excursion

...not to get on Thai buses

[Ralf001]

36 minutes ago, twizzian said:

My vehicles all have regular servicing, one of two reasons why I have never travelled on Buses & Mini vans for over 15 years

 

Yeah I own vehicles too, that is the primary reason why I never travel on bus or mini van.

[steven100]

oh dear Georgealbert,  I find these bus fire stories a little distressing to read,  I guess it's because of the horrible tragic story we witnessed before of the kindergarden kids.  It is good that all these primary school students and teachers exited the bus quickly & safely,  sad it couldn't of been like that before. 

 

The driver pulled the bus up quickly and opened the doors which avoided any casualties.  

Good job by the driver.  

[Frankie baby]

The photo shows the luggage hold. They must have done a bodge up job with motors & fans etc. Generally the AC compressors are fitted & run off the engine by belts. 

[CLW]

1 hour ago, AhFarangJa said:

Please let me help you with that.........MAIN-TE-NANCE.....

They'll never learn....

[Andycoops]

Looks like another <deleted>house bus operator, probably a friend of the school director...

[markus]

And on we go ...

[khunpeer]

12 hours ago, twizzian said:

My vehicles all have regular servicing, one of two reasons why I have never travelled on Buses & Mini vans for over 15 years

good for you, but some people here are less fortunate and must rely on public transport!

but i do agree that maintenance is a key-factor often 'forgotten' here...

[bristolgeoff]

Seems like a modern bus  and everyone got out safely  and the driver did the right thing

[richard_smith237]

18 hours ago, ronster said:

And it's groundhog day here again in the world of thai buses !  🙈

 

Always is... 

 

Its busses this month....    Then Songkran accidents... and 1000's dying in flat bed pickups.

Then its back the deflection against some foreigners who'e done something wrong, ebore the weather changes and some  tourists boats over-turn...

 

... Mean while - official graft runs quietly in the background and new projects will be approved,...  no room in the media left to discuss that...  Not at least until someone gets caught and moved to an inactive position... 

[it is what it is]

28 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Always is... 

 

Its busses this month....    Then Songkran accidents... and 1000's dying in flat bed pickups.

Then its back the deflection against some foreigners who'e done something wrong, ebore the weather changes and some  tourists boats over-turn...

 

... Mean while - official graft runs quietly in the background and new projects will be approved,...  no room in the media left to discuss that...  Not at least until someone gets caught and moved to an inactive position... 

Then Songkran accidents...

statistically the number of road accidents during songkran is no different from the rest of the year.

[AhFarangJa]

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Always is... 

 

Its busses this month....    Then Songkran accidents... and 1000's dying in flat bed pickups.

Then its back the deflection against some foreigners who'e done something wrong, ebore the weather changes and some  tourists boats over-turn...

 

... Mean while - official graft runs quietly in the background and new projects will be approved,...  no room in the media left to discuss that...  Not at least until someone gets caught and moved to an inactive position... 

You forgot the honest taxi returning 10 million Baht.....