Pictures courtesy of Matichon.

 

A school minibus carrying 20 students overturned in Lopburi province on morning of 22 May, leaving 21 individuals with thankfully only minor injuries and shock.

 

The crash occurred at approximately0 7:30 on Route 2089 (Tha Manow – Sahamuang Thong Junction) in Moo 2, Tha Manow subdistrict, Chai Badan district. Witnesses alerted emergency services after the Toyota minivan, painted blue and registered in Lopburi, struck the central reservation before rolling on its side and sliding along the road..

 

Emergency responders from a local rescue foundation quickly arrived at the scene and transported all 21 occupants, 20 students and the driver,to Chai Badan Hospital. Most of the injured were classified as “green cases,” indicating that they suffered minor injuries or were primarily in shock. The hospital is examining and assessing the full extent of injuries.

Initial investigations suggest the driver lost control of the vehicle prior to the crash, struck and crossed the central reservation, taking down one pole, but was thankfully avoided by overcoming trsffic. Authorities are continuing their inquiries into the cause of the crash.

 

The incident has raised concerns over the safety standards of school transport services in the region.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-05-20

 

 

 

21 in a Toyota minivan.

 

You usually only see that in a circus when all the clowns jump out.

 

was nobody driving it

There is a reason my daughter isn't allowed on those death traps, they are already dangerous enough, add the typical uneducated/untrained Thai driver and they are incredibly dangerous to put children on. I watch them daily drive down the road at double the speed limit, weaving in and out of traffic without using blinkers, and disobeying pretty much all traffic laws.

I can't tell you the number of times I've seen over 10 in the back of a pick-up truck.  Kids between 10-15 years old.   Sometimes more than 10.  Sometimes I say something like, "No school van?", and the answer is usually the same: "Not going far".    Last time, I think it was a soccer/football team after a match, but some teams had minivans.   Yeah, it's super dangerous.   My point is, the school minivan is dangerous enough....but there's worse.  

Student safety  as the Ministry of Education always proclaims is important... This the reality.. 20 students in a minivan and it is no exception.. In every school in every place in Thailand it is the same or even worse.. Kids are being transported as cattle...Old vans, trucks, schoolbusses.. I am surprised there are no more accidents