Picture courtesy of Daily News

 

Several students were injured when a bus driver, carrying Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) students, lost control and crashed into a roadside power pole in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, on the afternoon of 30 October. The collision caused the vehicle’s axle to break and parts to scatter across the road, prompting an emergency rescue operation.

 

Police and rescue workers from the Sawang Hua Hin Thammasathan Foundation arrived at the scene around 16:30 on Hua Hin–Nong Phlap Road, near the entrance to Khao Dan Hill. They found an old orange six-wheeled bus, operating on the Hua Hin–Pranburi route, severely damaged with its front wheel detached and the left side damaged. The bus had veered off the road and struck a power pole before coming to rest on the roadside verge.

 

Inside, rescuers discovered that the passengers were mostly male and female ROTC students from a local school, all calling out for help. Eight of them suffered minor injuries, including cuts and bruises and were quickly transported to Hua Hin Hospital for medical treatment.

 

Driver Witthaya, aged 75, who escaped unhurt, told police he had been transporting around 20 ROTC students returning from a training session in Cha-am, Phetchaburi, back to their school in Hua Hin. As he drove along the Cha-am–Pranburi bypass, rain made the road slippery. Approaching a curve, he braked suddenly to avoid hitting a car in front, but the bus skidded off the road and slammed into a power pole and a parked backhoe. The impact tore off the axle and front wheel, leaving the bus heavily damaged.

 

Police officers from Hua Hin Police Station documented the scene and are inspecting the vehicle’s mechanical condition. Authorities will determine whether the crash resulted from driver error, vehicle failure or unsafe road conditions. The power authority also worked to replace the broken pole and restore electrical lines in the area.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A bus carrying around 20 ROTC students crashed into a power pole in Hua Hin, injuring eight people.

• The 75-year-old driver said he lost control while trying to avoid another car on a slippery road.

• Police are investigating the cause and repairs to damaged power lines were carried out.

 

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  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Naewna 2025-11-01

 

 

 

 

 

The bus did seem to be traveling a little fast for the road conditions.

 

Thankfully no fatalities or serious injuries.

 

At least the bus driver did not run away.

 

The bus is very old - possibly 40-odd years old.

 

I have used this bus over many years, and always found the drivers to be careful and attentive to road and traffic conditions.

21 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

rain made the road slippery

WOW, that never happened before. Rain in Thailand? During rain season? UNTHINKABLE.😶

Time that bus was retired anyway...

Way too fast, it's the rain's fault, a stupid driver... What could possibly go wrong?

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Time that bus was retired anyway...

And the driver. Too old and not driving to suit the road conditions. Bald tyres?

2 hours ago, Gandtee said:

And the driver. Too old and not driving to suit the road conditions. Bald tyres?

Who knows, take your pick.

If it starts it's good to go.. 

On 11/1/2025 at 3:03 PM, Georgealbert said:

The 75-year-old driver

 

IMO he should not be driving a PSV (public service vehicle) at his age. 

 

Many of these older buses in Thailand are death traps on wheels!

That seemed a pretty high rate of speed to take the curve (with the inevitable result).