School Van Crashes Into Pole in Chai Nat, 5 Children Injured, Driver Admits Falling Asleep

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

Five primary school children sustained minor injuries after a school transport van driver veered off the road and slammed into an electricity pole in Chai Nat province early morning of 22 May. The driver later admitted to having momentarily fallen asleep at the wheel due to exhaustion.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Bunshot Khiaolek, deputy investigator at Mueang Chai Nat Police Station, responded to an emergency call reporting the accident along the Wang Rai canal road, near Wat Ho Thongkham–Ban Mai route in Ban Kluai subdistrict. Rescue personnel from Ban Kluai and volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation also attended the scene.

Upon arrival, authorities found a passenger van off-road after crashing into a power pole, which had been left leaning from the impact. Eight schoolchildren had been on board. Five sustained minor injuries, mostly bruises, scrapes, and one with a split lip and were immediately transported to a local hospital for medical attention. The remaining three students were unharmed but visibly shaken and frightened by the ordeal.

The driver, 36-year-old Mr Wanchai, suffered a minor leg injury. Police conducted a breathalyser test, which returned a reading of 0, confirming that alcohol was not involved. He was taken for further questioning and will face legal proceedings.

In his statement, Mr Wanchai explained that he was covering the school run on behalf of the vehicle’s owner, who was unavailable. He had set off at 06:00, from Huai Krot in Sankhaburi District, heading to a school less than 3 kilometres from the crash site. Mr Wanchai admitted he dozed off behind the wheel, citing fatigue from an unusually early start to the day. He expressed deep regret, adding, “I also have four children. I would never want anything like this to happen.”

The headmistress of the school, Ms Oranong Phuyathon, confirmed that five students had received minor injuries and were undergoing medical checks, while the others were receiving emotional support. She acknowledged the seriousness of the incident but noted that the situation could have been much worse: “If the driver had swerved left instead of right, the van would have plunged into the canal, which could have been far more dangerous.”

School authorities have contacted the parents and are providing initial psychological support for the children affected by the crash.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-23.