Pictures courtesy of Amarin

An employee shuttle bus overturned onto its side as it slid into a roadside canal on 18 January 2026, injuring at 13 passengers and prompting an urgent rescue operation in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province. The bus, carrying workers to an industrial estate, came to rest on its side in water, trapping passengers inside and causing panic. Rescue teams evacuated all occupants safely and no fatalities were reported.

The crash occurred at about 10.15am on the Asia Road frontage lane heading towards the Ayutthaya interchange, in Ban Krot subdistrict, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district. The shuttle bus driver lost control, struck a power pole and overturned into a canal running alongside the road. Emergency responders from Ayutthaya rescue units were dispatched after reports that passengers were trapped and unable to escape due to the water level and the vehicle’s position.

Officials said the employees on board were mostly women travelling to work at Rojana Industrial Park. Rescue workers used ladders to extract passengers one by one through windows, while some occupants attempted to climb out on their own amid confusion. Several passengers sustained injuries, with initial reports indicating 13 passengers were hurt and all were given first aid at the scene before being taken to nearby hospitals.

Passengers told rescuers that many had been asleep when the bus suddenly veered off course, and they only realised what had happened when the vehicle overturned into the canal. Water began flowing into the bus, making escape difficult until rescue teams arrived in time. Authorities noted that the incident could have been far more serious, as the canal’s water level can be higher and enough to submerge most of a vehicle.

The driver, identified as Thawatchai Teema, 45, said he had been picking up employees from Bang Pa-in district and was travelling along Asia Road when he briefly blacked out near Big C on the frontage road. He admitted he had not had enough rest and apologised to all passengers for the incident. Police from Bang Pa-in station have questioned the driver and conducted an alcohol breath test as part of the investigation.

Amarin reported that the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Transport Office said it will inspect the shuttle bus to determine whether it complied with legal and safety requirements. Police are continuing their investigation to establish the exact cause of the crash and will take legal action as appropriate.

Key Takeaways

• An employee shuttle bus overturned into a canal in Ayutthaya on 18 January 2026, injuring around 13 passengers.

• All occupants were rescued safely, with no fatalities reported despite the vehicle being partially submerged.

• The driver admitted briefly blacking out due to lack of rest, and authorities are investigating.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Amarin 2026-01-18

 

 

the second one this week......Not enough rest, but don't care about the safety of the people he has to transport.... his party/freetime/whatever he did because he did not rest enough was more important.... People should learn they are responsible for others and so he should pay for all costs and damages personally instead of an apology

He admitted he had not had enough rest and apologised to all passengers for the incident.

Nuff said.... go Thailand

Yeah my wife used to work around there. Tons of buses racing around showing off their skills to the young female passengers. Changing lanes quickly, turning into tight corners with no consideration for traffic around them. Not to mention although the buses have fancy livery with multiple 10in exhausts but on the inside they’re old and poorly maintained

2 hours ago, AustinRacing said:

Yeah my wife used to work around there. Tons of buses racing around showing off their skills to the young female passengers. Changing lanes quickly, turning into tight corners with no consideration for traffic around them. Not to mention although the buses have fancy livery with multiple 10in exhausts but on the inside they’re old and poorly maintained

Sounds just like an accident waiting to happen!

3 hours ago, AustinRacing said:

Yeah my wife used to work around there. Tons of buses racing around showing off their skills to the young female passengers. Changing lanes quickly, turning into tight corners with no consideration for traffic around them. Not to mention although the buses have fancy livery with multiple 10in exhausts but on the inside they’re old and poorly maintained

thanks to the goverment not enforcing the rules

On 1/18/2026 at 11:27 AM, Georgealbert said:

Passengers told rescuers that many had been asleep when the bus suddenly veered off course,

.............including the driver.

....The Rain & Slippery Roads Of Course...Oops...I Mean...

Have been on a bus in Thailand where the driver was nodding off. Moved up front where I could shake the guy and prepared to grab the wheel if necessary. Luckily just 1.5hr Phuket to Krabi ride, was glad to get off that bus!