Ten Dead, 17 Injured In Surat Thani VIP Bus Accident

[limbos]

Even if the bus was in perfect condition, there are potholes on the main highways that are unreal. I drove between Phuket and Chumpon or Phuket Bangkok several times in the past, once I had a tire burst shortly after a wide and deep pothole and another time the wheel needed replacement because it was bent, and that was only on sedans with 1 - 2 passengers.

The condition of the the main road especially around Chumpon and Surat Thani is very bad Very sad.

Even if the bus was in perfect condition, there are potholes on the main highways that are unreal. I drove between Phuket and Chumpon or Phuket Bangkok several times in the past, once I had a tire burst shortly after a wide and deep pothole and another time the wheel needed replacement because it was bent, and that was only on sedans with 1 - 2 passengers.

The condition of the the main road especially around Chumpon and Surat Thani is very bad Very sad.

The roads are in bad condition since the floods, they are barely patched up. Now in contrast, go North-East of Bangkok and all highways in Isaan are in a lot better shape. How come?

[dingdang]

there are many survivors...

they will report about the speed, and often the driver can be seen in the inner-rear-mirror...

[dingdang]

street condition (particularly the holes) is much dependend on monsoon impact... maybe in issaan weather is not that bad...

Edited July 3, 2012 by dingdang

[Moruya]

How many vans in the past week?

I thought PTP said they would stop this?

Driving safety on public transport in Thailand is shocking

[carra]

Just speaking to a friend now, her friends uncle was the Indian guy that died on the bus, his wife is panic stricken at the hospital in Surat Thani, unable to speak Thai. These are just people on holiday and now her life has altered for ever.

people need to understand for us on the forum it is just a crash, but for others their lives are ruined, so when people try and defend the awful accident figures here and try and put the blame anywhere than where it should be put, just think about this, and know that this won't be the last time, and next time it might be you or yours

[phuturatica]

Very tragic story. RIP and my condolences to the families of those killed.

[Ron19]

In reference to Travelman in post #86,my thoughts exactly and refering to it as baseless Thai bashing is a bit over the top.

I also would like to send my condolences to the families of those killed.

And as phuturaica says ,a very tragic story and may they RIP.

Edited July 3, 2012 by Ron19

[arkom]

My experience with Transport Co. buses has generally been very good. Like Nakhon Chai Air they operate modern VIP buses, with the 24 seaters being the best of the best I believe. While it is too early to be sure, it is possible that it was just bad luck, something on the road, or perhaps a faulty tire.

Either way, let's hope that pending the results of an investigation, Transport Co. as a professional outfit, will implement whatever changes are necessary to reduce the chances of this happening again.

I would agree, used to do the Bangkok to Phuket route twice a month on the 24 seater bus and never had a problems.

Does that mean you didnt end up in a ditch or dead............. well that is good then isnt it, mind you dead folk never argue much............. or do you mean the driver gave signals checked mirrors didnt hog the outside lane didnt speed, didnt make calls whilst driving, wasnt drunk wasnt a few centimetres from the vehicle in front, only drove for a few hours then had a rest, had two drivers, didnt have the music on so loud he would be oblivious to anything else etc etc

I simply mean that I agree with Katipo. It is unfortunate that is happened and lives were lost, but in my opinion The Transport Co. buses are safer than most private operators.

[Ferangled]

If you read it all it also says the driver may have fallen asleep so stop speculating yourself

Sorry, I just read the OP back and can't find any mention of the driver falling asleep, if there is reference to this please quote it. I guess there's also reference to him being drunk & on drugs...

As for telling me to stop speculating... I'm sorry about what exactly? That TV members have a habit of distorting the facts to bash Thais, whatever the thread? That's not speculation, that's fact. Read any thread on here and you'll find evidence of it yourself.

[carra]

If you read it all it also says the driver may have fallen asleep so stop speculating yourself

Sorry, I just read the OP back and can't find any mention of the driver falling asleep, if there is reference to this please quote it. I guess there's also reference to him being drunk & on drugs...

As for telling me to stop speculating... I'm sorry about what exactly? That TV members have a habit of distorting the facts to bash Thais, whatever the thread? That's not speculation, that's fact. Read any thread on here and you'll find evidence of it yourself.

the initial reports state the police suspect that the driver fell asleep, this is speculation just as a burst tyre is speculation

RT @191Thailand: Spring News reporting that it was a bus owned by The Transport Co., Ltd. Police think the drive fell asleep at the wheel

Edited July 3, 2012 by carra

[how241]

It also stated it was a 'first class' bus owned by Transport Co.Ltd, therefore no need to worry about the physical condition of the bus, is there?

R.I.P. to all the deceased and condolences to all family and friends in this all too common tragedy. I hope the survivors recover soon.

+1...My heart goes out to the families.

[thaiman]

I travel in vip buses a lot, and I'm always the only person wearing a seatbelt. It amazes me how nobody else buckles up. These buses go pretty darn fast!

BTW, what's the safest seat in one of those buses?

[dazk]

Dont think its been mentioned but was the coach built properly ie with crumple zones securely fitted seat etc, i did see a article maybe on TV about some coaches built here being of sub standard with many designs being signed of as safe due to the usual tea money, maybe most of the deaths could have been avoided if this is the case.

[carra]

I travel in vip buses a lot, and I'm always the only person wearing a seatbelt. It amazes me how nobody else buckles up. These buses go pretty darn fast!

BTW, what's the safest seat in one of those buses?

On the double decker I would imagine the downstairs seats in the middle, upstairs it is hard to know where the impact is going to come from

[Beetlejuice]

I really suggest everyone in Thailand planning to use a bus or minivan to first double check all tires!

Good advice and OK in theory but often as not there's little alternative and do you really think you've got the resolve to flag down a bus and then have them wait while you do a tour of inspection. Why stop at the tyres? Good tyres, bad brakes = same problem. Only once (in China) have I let a bus go and waited for the next one due to the state of the tyres and although the next one (three hours later) was an improvement it was still dodgy. Let's face it you take your life in your hands every time you use the roads, particularly in an under-regulated Third World country.

Condolences to the families and friends of those who died in this accident.

It`s not that simple.

Vehicle types can appear in a reasonable condition but can be old and turn brittle over time or be of an inferior quality.

The problem is proper vehicle maintenance, safety factors and fully qualified competent drivers are often compromised for competitive low fares and maximum profits and it can be cheaper in the long term to claim off the insurance (if they have any) rather than make passenger safety as a priority.

Those images are horrific indeed and my heartfelt sympathies go out to all the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident.

Edited July 3, 2012 by Beetlejuice

[Curt1591]

This could even be the fault of the road itself. I had a catastrophic blowout from hitting a pothole I was unable to avoid. There are thousands of potholes on Thai roads.

[harleyd61]

Condolences to the family and soon recovery for the injured

[marquis22]

My experience with Transport Co. buses has generally been very good. Like Nakhon Chai Air they operate modern VIP buses, with the 24 seaters being the best of the best I believe. While it is too early to be sure, it is possible that it was just bad luck, something on the road, or perhaps a faulty tire.

Either way, let's hope that pending the results of an investigation, Transport Co. as a professional outfit, will implement whatever changes are necessary to reduce the chances of this happening again.

Or maybe the driver fell asleep.

My thoughts as well, I think many crashes are attributed to 'malfunctions' where as falling asleep is hardly mentioned unless a survivor actually sees the driver dozing off.

[webfact]

SURAT THANI'S FATAL ACCIDENT

Names of injured passengers released

The Nation

Those injured are being treated at Surat Thani Hospital (Tel 66 77) 272 231 and (66 77) 284 23; and Kanjanadit Hospital (66 77) 244518-9

Six of the 10 passengers killed in the bus accident in Surat Thani province on Tuesday were foreigners, Surat Thani's bus operator chief Pornpimon Klinhom said. Names and their names and nationality are still unknown, she said.

She also revealed names of those who were injured and are currently being treated at Surat Thani Hospital, which can be contacted at (66 77) 272 231 and (66 77) 284 231; and Kanjanadit Hospital at (66 77) 244518-9.

1. Roverta Nortun, Briton

2. Jonathan Bennet, nationality unknown

3. Push Pinder Kuma, Indian

4. Pinry Jain, Indian

5. Aashima Jain, Indian

6. Jasmine Maglige, Luxembourger

7. Figue Magias Michael, Luxembourger

8. Kapl Gaya, Zimbabwean

9. Thitima Klomklieng, 27, Thai

10. Phirasak Yensiri, 26, Thai

11. Sodsai Kakarun, 21, Thai

12. Namphet Poonperm, 41, Thai

13. Komsan Nuntasahakitnukul, 36, Thai

14. Jiraporn Laokamkaew, 43, Thai

15. Prom Pijaranapong 64, Thai

16. Pitawun Suwanprasert, 35, Thai

She said the illfated bus has insurance with Dhipaya Insurance, which will take responsibility for compensation of the victims.

The interprovincial bus carrying Thais and foreign tourists skidded off the road and slammed into an electric power transmission pole at dawn on Tuesday in Surat Thani province, killing ten and injuring many others

The driver lost control of the bus, which slammed into the transmission pole on Surat ThaniNakhon Si Thammarat Road in Kanchanadit district. He was also killed.

-- The Nation 2012-07-03

[Colabamumbai]

Take a moment.

[limbos]

street condition (particularly the holes) is much dependend on monsoon impact... maybe in issaan weather is not that bad...

street condition (particularly the holes) is much dependend on monsoon impact... maybe in issaan weather is not that bad...

Nope, the roads are in general in a much better condition there.

[Ferangled]

If you read it all it also says the driver may have fallen asleep so stop speculating yourself

Sorry, I just read the OP back and can't find any mention of the driver falling asleep, if there is reference to this please quote it. I guess there's also reference to him being drunk & on drugs...

As for telling me to stop speculating... I'm sorry about what exactly? That TV members have a habit of distorting the facts to bash Thais, whatever the thread? That's not speculation, that's fact. Read any thread on here and you'll find evidence of it yourself.

the initial reports state the police suspect that the driver fell asleep, this is speculation just as a burst tyre is speculation

RT @191Thailand: Spring News reporting that it was a bus owned by The Transport Co., Ltd. Police think the drive fell asleep at the wheel

What source is that from? The OP or a different news story? Having googled it the only hit I get is your comment on TV, although looking at RB's site he gives sleeping driver as the initial police speculation.

<<Inflammatory comments removed>>

Edited July 3, 2012 by metisdead

[Moruya]

Just speaking to a friend now, her friends uncle was the Indian guy that died on the bus, his wife is panic stricken at the hospital in Surat Thani, unable to speak Thai. These are just people on holiday and now her life has altered for ever.

people need to understand for us on the forum it is just a crash, but for others their lives are ruined, so when people try and defend the awful accident figures here and try and put the blame anywhere than where it should be put, just think about this, and know that this won't be the last time, and next time it might be you or yours

All of these crashes are preventable - but nobody does anything.

These crashes get debated time and time again unfortunately.

Dont assume that drivers are trained at all.

Don't assume that the buses area as well maintained

Find a reputable tour company

If you are going to get on a bus, walk round it first to see if it looks safe.

Put a seatbelt on if it has one

If the driver drives too fast ask him to slow down or get off the bus

If he looks like he's nodding off get off the bus

As pilots say - it's better to be 20 minutes late than 20 years soon.

[dingdang]

then one in the hospital still isnt identified... 27 on the bus, 10 dead, 17 injured...

[AdrianHeron]

This is <snip> horrific, god only know how fast this bus must have been travelling - it's high time the so called "authorities" started enforcing the traffic laws properly. How much more lives (usually young lives) are gonna be needless wasted on the roads in this country, these are pointless/avoidable accidents, - allowing these tragedies to reoccur so frequently is nothing short of criminally insane...! Thailand; for the love of GOD, get-a-grip; how much more blood do you want on your hands...?

[Rooo]

Posts containing stupid emoticons & bickering removed. For God's sake grow up.

[metisdead]

If you read it all it also says the driver may have fallen asleep so stop speculating yourself

Sorry, I just read the OP back and can't find any mention of the driver falling asleep, if there is reference to this please quote it. I guess there's also reference to him being drunk & on drugs...

As for telling me to stop speculating... I'm sorry about what exactly? That TV members have a habit of distorting the facts to bash Thais, whatever the thread? That's not speculation, that's fact. Read any thread on here and you'll find evidence of it yourself.

the initial reports state the police suspect that the driver fell asleep, this is speculation just as a burst tyre is speculation

RT @191Thailand: Spring News reporting that it was a bus owned by The Transport Co., Ltd. Police think the drive fell asleep at the wheel

What source is that from? The OP or a different news story? Having googled it the only hit I get is your comment on TV, although looking at RB's site he gives sleeping driver as the initial police speculation.

<<Inflammatory comments removed>>

The source is in the Thailand Live Tuesday 3 July thread.

[MEL1]

I travel in vip buses a lot, and I'm always the only person wearing a seatbelt. It amazes me how nobody else buckles up. These buses go pretty darn fast!

BTW, what's the safest seat in one of those buses?

The one above the black-box!

-mel.

[phantomfiddler]

RT @191Thailand: The BKK-Koh Pha Ngan tour bus left Bangkok at 7:30pm last night. There were 24 passengers & 3 bus staff.

RT @191Thailand: Latest news on 10 dead in bus crash: 5 foreign tourists (1 male and 4 female), 4 Thai tourists (4 male) and the driver.

Post Today reporting that 6 of the dead are foreign tourists (1 male & 5 female). The rest are Thai including the driver

Tragic, but 10 people and an indian ? Really !

[moskito]

whats new here? NEXT....

may they rest in peace..... hard to say, but how many times more we will read or hear of similar incidents here in LoS before we get a PROPER PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM like Trains ?

or how many time we read similar stories the past year? 10 times? 20? 100 ??? check how these busses are driving BEFORE you ever take on or buy a ticket for someone you like...