Picture courtesy of Workpoint

 

Parents and families of the 23 victims of a tragic school bus fire in Pathum Thani have voiced frustration over what they describe as a lack of justice, saying they must hire lawyers to pursue the case themselves. The fire, which killed students and teachers from Uthai Thani province, occurred on 1 October 2024 on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road near the National Memorial, Khu Khot subdistrict, Lam Luk Ka district.

 

The District Court of Thanyaburi delivered its verdict on 9 September 2025, sentencing three defendants. The bus garage owners, a father and his daughter, were initially given eight-year prison terms and fines of 200,000 baht each, which were halved to four years and 100,000 baht following guilty pleas, with a five-year probation period. The bus driver received an eight-year, two-month sentence and a 205,000 baht fine, reduced to four years and one month and 102,500 baht on confession, also with a suspended sentence.

 

Victim parent Jirawan, whose kindergarten-aged daughter died in the fire, said families feel forced to act independently as they cannot rely on external authorities. She criticised the bus owners’ “compensation,” which included rice, cooking oil, sugar and oyster sauce, describing it as inadequate and insensitive. Families receive 10,000 baht per month in instalments until a total of 550,000 baht is paid, which she says does not match the loss of young lives.

 

Following the sentencing, both the bus driver and owners have been released from custody. Parents are determined to continue legal action, insisting the case should not be forgotten. They have memorialised their children, including creating a stupa at home with the remains of one victim, Peach and continue to honour them daily.

 

Looking ahead, the school in Lan Sak district will hold a one-year memorial ceremony on 1 October to commemorate the students and teachers who lost their lives. Parents hope the attention will prompt further support and accountability in the case.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Three defendants in the school bus fire case received reduced sentences after guilty pleas.

• Families report compensation from the bus owners as inadequate, paying 10,000 baht monthly until 550,000 baht is reached.

• Parents are pursuing independent legal action and will hold a one-year memorial on 1 October.

 

Related stories:

 

Court-sentences-bus-owner-driver-over-deadly-fire

 

School-bus-fire-claims-multiple-lives-and-injures-young-students-in-rangsit

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Workpointnews 2025-09-10

 

 

 

 

Thai Justice!!    the thai people should be ashamed !!! 

and meanwhile the judge(s) who imposed the sentences are either out on the golf course not giving a toss , or counting how much money they made from this case .

 

Seems to be forgotten that the school bus had been "illegally modified to carry more compressed natural gas cylinders than legally permitted, with 11 gas tanks installed compared to the authorized six. These illegally fitted tanks were located under the front and rear of the bus, contributing to the severity of the fire and the tragic loss of life."

2 hours ago, khunPer said:

Seems to be forgotten that the school bus had been "illegally modified to carry more compressed natural gas cylinders than legally permitted, with 11 gas tanks installed compared to the authorized six. These illegally fitted tanks were located under the front and rear of the bus, contributing to the severity of the fire and the tragic loss of life."

and your point!!!!! is