Pictures courtesy of Kaoded.

 

In a hands-on initiative to enhance public transport safety awareness among students, the Uthai Thani Provincial Transport Office has held a comprehensive training programme, including real-world emergency simulations where students shattered actual bus windows to practise emergency escape procedures.

 

The event was held at the second-floor conference room of Wat Maneesatthit Kapittharam (Wat Thung Kaew), a royal temple in Mueang District, with Mr. Sonjakchai Chuawapitak, Deputy Governor of Uthai Thani, presiding over the opening. The training is part of the province’s 2025 safety campaign for public transport users and was launched in collaboration with relevant government agencies.

 

Mr. Wiwat Chukaew, Uthai Thani’s Provincial Transport Officer, explained that the initiative was launched in response to the start of the new academic term and recent tragic incidents, including a deadly fire on a school excursion bus, which underscored the importance of emergency preparedness for young passengers.

 

The course was attended by 200 students from Wat Maneesatthit Kapittharam Municipal School, covering both primary and lower secondary levels. The students were trained in both theory and practical application of safety protocols, including the use of onboard emergency equipment such as hammers to break windows when escape via doors is not possible.

In a dramatic and effective move, the training included the live breaking of actual bus windows. This gave students direct experience of how to act decisively and safely in critical situations like fires, floods, accidents, or violent incidents onboard. Participants also learned to operate fire extinguishers correctly.

 

Funded by the provincial Road Safety Fund, the training aims to equip students with the confidence and skills needed to protect themselves during emergencies on public transport.

 

This was the first session in a series. The second session is scheduled for 28 May, at Uthai Witthayakhom School. A third session will focus on bus drivers, attendants, and transport operators to ensure they are well-versed in using safety equipment efficiently and can respond swiftly in emergencies.

 

The Transport Office emphasised its continued commitment to promoting road and passenger safety through practical education and training initiatives at all levels.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Kaoded 2025-05-28.

 

 

 

How is the education for this if overloaded vans cross the railway when a train is coming?? Or when drivers are speeding and drive against a tree or so?? Theoretically  is good but they should educate the drivers as the kids can't do much with a lunatic behind the steer