Transport Double-Deckers Banned from Risky Roads After Tragic Crash

[webfact]

File picture from reference only.

 

In a decisive move, double-decker buses have been banned from risky routes following a deadly accident on Highway 304 in Prachin Buri. Thailand's  Ministry of Transport announced this measure after a double-decker bus collided with a lorry, resulting in a fire that tragically claimed seven lives and injured over 40 people.

 

The accident occurred on a steep downhill stretch early Monday morning, raising concerns about the safety of double-deckers on certain roads.

 

Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit has ordered the Department of Land Transport (DLT) to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash.

 

Initial findings indicate the driver was speeding, unable to decelerate in time, leading to the horrific collision. The crash's impact caused a fire by damaging an electrical wiring area, further compounding the disaster.

 

 

 

In response, Minister Suriya, who also serves as the Deputy Prime Minister, has emphasised safety by mandating strict inspections of double-decker buses.

 

A prohibition has been placed on their use along seven identified routes deemed potentially hazardous. These routes include Chiang Mai-Doi Nang Kaew, Mae Hong Son-Mae Teep, and Pua-Doi Phu Kha National Park, among others. This step aims to prevent similar tragedies and ensure passenger safety.

 

Furthermore, Minister Suriya has instructed coordination with the Department of Highways to enhance road safety through the installation of warning signs and rumble strips at potential accident spots.

 

He has also ordered that all buses undergo mandatory stops at designated checkpoints for inspections to ensure compliance with safety measures.

 

Finally, the DLT is mandated to apply stricter regulations on the registration of new double-decker buses, both for regular and chartered services.

 

This aligns with efforts to bolster the safety of passengers and other road users, ensuring that tragedies like the recent one in Prachin Buri become a thing of the past.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-04-24

 

 

 

[Olav Seglem]

Roads are not the problem.

Look at driving skills.

Rest/work hours.

Last but most important, vehicle maintenance.

[MalcolmB]

This ban will last about 4 months and be forgotten 

[JoePai]

Ban ALL double deckers - period !

[KhunBENQ]

2 hours ago, JoePai said:

Ban ALL double deckers - period !

Get these monsters off the road.

I remember that they are often built with heavy "ordinary" glass on the upper deck ignoring regulations. Makes them even more shacky, higher center of gravity.

[Ralf001]

Just now, KhunBENQ said:

Get these monsters off the road.

I remember that they are often built with heavy "ordinary" glass on the upper deck ignoring regulations. Makes them even more shacky, higher center of gravity.

 

Is automotive glass lighter?

[petedk]

5 hours ago, JoePai said:

Ban ALL double deckers - period !

 

Isn't that what they are trying to do??? 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

buses have been banned from risky routes

 

ALL routes are risky in Thailand.

[impulse]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Finally, the DLT is mandated to apply stricter regulations on the registration of new double-decker buses, both for regular and chartered services.

 

I thought they already banned new double deckers and the problem was rebuilding decades old chassis and re-registering them under the existing VIN.  Or did that go by the wayside like so many tourism/safety proclamations?

 

[richard_smith237]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

A prohibition has been placed on their use along seven identified routes deemed potentially hazardous. These routes include Chiang Mai-Doi Nang Kaew, Mae Hong Son-Mae Teep, and Pua-Doi Phu Kha National Park, among others. This step aims to prevent similar tragedies and ensure passenger safety.

 

Weren't double decker busses banned on those same seven routes over Songkran ?

 

 

And...  didn't this 'bus accident'  (brake failure) occur on the downhill route of a different road for which these bans are not listed ?

[richard_smith237]

This type of 'sweeping ban' is just laziness...   

 

I'm sure there are perfectly road worthy double deckers out there and those employing safe and well regulated business practices should not be penalised because others flout the regulations...

 

All busses and trucks / lorries / HGV's should be regularly inspected and if deemed unsafe, take off the road... 

 

Of course, who does the inspections - thats the issue in a systemically corrupt nation...   which is why a 'knee-jerk sweeping reaction' is commonly carried out here... 

 

This will be ignored, like all other announcement...     Or, the BiB will simply take their 'tea money' when they catch the busses on such routes.

[DonniePeverley]

I was down on Soi Nana near Nana Plaza the other day (for research purposes), and it's already really heavily congested on that tight road as it, as taxis parked up, vendors, and people spill into the road. Couldn't believe my eyes when two double decker busses came into the road to go past. They then slow downed around Nana Plaza, so it must have been on some itinery tour to show what appeared to be Chinese tourists inside. 

 

Absolutely wreckless, all whilst blowing out jet black smoke. 

[nightfox]

Typical Thai style knee jerk reaction as I can see this ban lasting a few days as majority of inter provincial buses are double deckers.

[richard_smith237]

4 minutes ago, nightfox said:

Typical Thai style knee jerk reaction as I can see this ban lasting a few days as majority of inter provincial buses are double deckers.

 

Agreed... It'll be cheaper for the owners to simply pay the bribes than to stop running... 

... and thats if stopped by an apathetic and lazy police in the first place... 

 

[edwinchester]

Everytime there is an accident involving a double decker bus on a winding road there are announcements that they are to be be banned on so called 'risky' routes. It has been so for many many years and so far there has been <deleted> all actually done to implement the ban..... incompetent clowns, the lot of them.

[kingstonkid]

20 hours ago, Olav Seglem said:

Roads are not the problem.

Look at driving skills.

Rest/work hours.

Last but most important, vehicle maintenance.

Add in meds to keep them awake 

 

[TheFishman1]

I don’t think the problem is the double-decker buses I think the prom totally relies on the drivers and the maintenance of these vehicles which is probably minimal at best I’ve seen some of these buses the tires are completely bald and most countries the police would see that and just pull them over here or anything goes I remember when they banned people from riding the back of pick up trucks how long did that last for a month TIT 

[CecilM]

So now we get badly maintained single-deck busses being driven by crazy drivers on dangerous roads. 

[newbee2022]

As a 1. Step ok. Ban them everywhere or send them to UK.🤣

[impulse]

5 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

I don’t think the problem is the double-decker buses I think the prom totally relies on the drivers and the maintenance of these vehicles which is probably minimal at best I’ve seen some of these buses the tires are completely bald and most countries the police would see that and just pull them over here or anything goes I remember when they banned people from riding the back of pick up trucks how long did that last for a month TIT 

 

I've visited a couple of shops where the double deckers are re-built on decades old chassis.  It's scary how much plywood and how many pop rivets they use.  No structural rigidity at all.  If you get into an accident on one, you have about as much protection as a paper bag.

 

 

[black tabby12345]

A good move.

2-storey bus comes with higher risks of fall, due to its weight balance.

[Surasak]

21 hours ago, JoePai said:

Ban ALL double deckers - period !

A double Decker bus stood at its departure point, then loaded with passengers is a harmless entity. Then a driver sits himself behind the steering wheel and starts the engine. The double Decker has now become a vehicle of MASS DESTRUCTION!

[Dr B]

If you take the time to remember or read back about the original accident, I do not think you will find anything there that linked the casue of the accident to the bus being a double decker. This is just a Minister who knows nothing about transport thinking he must make some expansive public statement.

[NorthernRyland]

Thai people are suffering from a collective denial that they're dangerous lunatics when driving.

 

Look at the bus in the video weaving in and out of traffic. This isn't the busses fault, it's the guy at the wheel but never will be blamed personally. It's always the route, wet road, fell asleep, brakes failed, bus is too big etc...

 

 

[jippytum]

A basic  knowledge of using a lower gear when drivng a steep decline would save more lives than warning stickers. 

[hotchilli]

On 4/24/2025 at 10:59 AM, webfact said:

In a decisive move, double-decker buses have been banned from risky routes following a deadly accident on Highway 304 in Prachin Buri. Thailand's  Ministry of Transport announced this measure after a double-decker bus collided with a lorry, resulting in a fire that tragically claimed seven lives and injured over 40 people.

Just goes to prove how out of touch the Ministry of Transport really is