Accident Double-Decker Bus Crashes into Height Barrier in Central Bangkok

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A double-decker bus struck a height restriction barrier on Sri Ayudhya Road in central Bangkok on the evening of 18 July, causing significant traffic delays but fortunately no injuries.

 

The incident occurred on the inbound side of Sri Ayudhya Road, just before the Phaya Thai intersection overpass, a known choke point in the capital’s already congested road network. The collision happened during the early evening rush hour, intensifying the traffic situation in surrounding areas.

 

Authorities confirmed that the bus, operated by a private company, was not carrying any passengers at the time of the incident. The driver reportedly misjudged the clearance beneath the barrier, leading the upper deck of the vehicle to slam into the metal structure with considerable force. Images shared on social media showed the bus with the upper section wrecked..

 

Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene to assess the situation and ensure public safety, while traffic police worked to redirect vehicles and manage the resulting congestion.

 

A tow truck from the bus company was later deployed to remove the vehicle, but the process took time, further aggravating traffic flow in the vicinity. There has been no official comment from the bus company regarding the cause of the incident or whether disciplinary action will be taken against the driver.

 

 

Police are continuing their investigation. Fortunately, thanks to the absence of passengers, the incident ended without injury, a rare silver lining in what could have been a far more serious event.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-07-19

 

 

 

[HappyExpat57]

Oops

[Gsxrnz]

Sometimes, size does matter. 

[edwinchester]

On the positive side they've just added a new single decker to their vehicle fleet.

[KhaoHom]

Welcome to Thailand where safety for you is our utmost concern

 

 

Looks like Chinese 0 dollar tour bus. Anyone recognize the company ?

[Lucky Bones]

9 minutes ago, edwinchester said:

On the positive side they've just added a new single decker to their vehicle fleet.

Would you prefer a air-conditioned or fresh-air seat?🙃🙃

[angryguy]

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The driver reportedly misjudged the clearance beneath the barrier

Moron

[richard_smith237]

Someone would have to be a very special level of idiot to manage this - yet the driver was put in charge a vehicle that can carry ~50 people...    

... This is a perfect example of the level of idiocy we can witness around us on the roads here in Thailand....

[Emdog]

Soon to be on youtube and some sort of "idiots behind the wheel" cheap thrills TV filler program

[newbee2022]

On 7/19/2025 at 5:24 AM, Georgealbert said:

 

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A double-decker bus struck a height restriction barrier on Sri Ayudhya Road in central Bangkok on the evening of 18 July, causing significant traffic delays but fortunately no injuries.

 

The incident occurred on the inbound side of Sri Ayudhya Road, just before the Phaya Thai intersection overpass, a known choke point in the capital’s already congested road network. The collision happened during the early evening rush hour, intensifying the traffic situation in surrounding areas.

 

Authorities confirmed that the bus, operated by a private company, was not carrying any passengers at the time of the incident. The driver reportedly misjudged the clearance beneath the barrier, leading the upper deck of the vehicle to slam into the metal structure with considerable force. Images shared on social media showed the bus with the upper section wrecked..

 

Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene to assess the situation and ensure public safety, while traffic police worked to redirect vehicles and manage the resulting congestion.

 

A tow truck from the bus company was later deployed to remove the vehicle, but the process took time, further aggravating traffic flow in the vicinity. There has been no official comment from the bus company regarding the cause of the incident or whether disciplinary action will be taken against the driver.

 

 

Police are continuing their investigation. Fortunately, thanks to the absence of passengers, the incident ended without injury, a rare silver lining in what could have been a far more serious event.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-07-19

 

 

 

Nobody was injured. The driver will apologize. Only some damage on the bus.

Consequences? Probably none.

[blazes]

Did the driver flee from the scene of the accident?  Maybe he was illiterate and could not read any warning signs in the vicinity....or, if literate, just texting...

[tomazbodner]

This barrier prevents too tall vehicles from getting on Sri Ayutthaya overpass that runs under BTS line, so had it not been there, this bus would have hit the elevated train line with potentially catastrophic consequences.

[hotchilli]

On 7/19/2025 at 12:39 PM, edwinchester said:

On the positive side they've just added a new single decker to their vehicle fleet.

Easy conversion to an open top tour bus

[Nickcage49]

Smart driver. He should know where he can go and where he can't go.

[NorthernRyland]

Reminds me of this classic.

 

 

[NedR69]

I’ll add double decker buses to the list that has ferries, boats, and water taxis for transport anywhere/anytime/anyone in LOS because their track record has a ‘F’, total FAILURE for passenger transport safety, a total failure of any type of water vessel and life endangering. 
 

Just wish I could find my post in a FB Visa/Travel group, with admin being a well known visa/travel agency. About 2-3 years ago after I commented about frequent water taxi tragedies the group admin quickly disputed what I said…ignoring the news of prior tourists deaths. There’s been multiple times in recent years, vessels have capsized/taking on water/fire/explosion/engine failure and more problems. I cannot find the post, so likely was deleted by the admin. There is no maritime safety here…plenty of blah blah blah.  But any excuse or bull s  reason is total irresponsibility.  Buyer beware, but unfortunately most people are not knowledgeable of any vessel or marine safety protocols. 

[Grumpy one]

The driver should get a pay rise.

The company now has a convertible, just clean up the sharp bits and add a rag top  

[Sig]

On 7/18/2025 at 3:24 PM, Georgealbert said:

The driver reportedly misjudged the clearance beneath the barrier

No he didn't. He didn't make any sort of judgement at all. He was just going along his merry way. There are 2 yellow HUGE billboard sized warning signs warning of the height - even with pictures! The one previous to the one he hit had metal plates hanging on chains to smack your vehicle to warn you, but apparently even that didn't turn the lights on upstairs! Either he is about as clueless as humanly possible or he was high/drunk.

[tomazbodner]

57 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

Reminds me of this classic.

 

 

This bridge should be sponsored by Gillette!

[radiochaser]

1 hour ago, NorthernRyland said:

Reminds me of this classic.

 

 

I wonder about the drivers that see the overhight turn sign flashing and they slow down like, if I drive real slow, I can get under!

[David T Pike]

Dont they have the height clearance posted on the underpass here??? The driver should also know the height of their vehicle... 🙄

[Purdey]

Restricted headroom is usually clearly marked. The driver either didn't look or didn't know the height of his bus.

Last year I saw a truck stuck under a  bridge that has its height clearly marked.

[Look Chang]

I will not anymore sit down in the upper deck of this kind of bus.  

[Packer]

The driver has been demoted to driving school buses. 

[Blueman1]

On 7/19/2025 at 12:39 PM, edwinchester said:

On the positive side they've just added a new single decker to their vehicle fleet.

And one DOZY Driver " LESS ".....

[Luuk Chaai]

2 hours ago, David T Pike said:

Dont they have the height clearance posted on the underpass here??? The driver should also know the height of their vehicle... 🙄

 

Answer ....  yes,

Jeez...  if Helen Keller was driving she would have seen this one  

[PETERTHEEATER]

4 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

This barrier prevents too tall vehicles from getting on Sri Ayutthaya overpass that runs under BTS line, so had it not been there, this bus would have hit the elevated train line with potentially catastrophic consequences.

It worked as intended. What a surprise.

[Lucky Bones]

3 hours ago, radiochaser said:

I wonder about the drivers that see the overhight turn sign flashing and they slow down like, if I drive real slow, I can get under!

Yup. Just like when it starts pouring with rain.....ride motorbike faster while holding umbrella to get home quicker.🙃🙃

[David T Pike]

3 hours ago, Luuk Chaai said:

Answer ....  yes,

  OMG that is HUGE! Maybe the driver was Burmese? 🙄

[radiochaser]

On 7/21/2025 at 2:06 PM, Lucky Bones said:

Yup. Just like when it starts pouring with rain.....ride motorbike faster while holding umbrella to get home quicker.🙃🙃

I drive faster to get to the gas station when my gas tank is almost empty!   😮