Driver killed as bus plunged into ravine



CHIAG MAI -- A Chiang Mai-Udon Thani bus plunged into a 30-metre ravine in Long district of Phrae province late Thursday night, killing the driver and injuring 15 passengers.

The accident happened shortly before midnight on Kilometre markers 39-40 on Highway 11 from Lampang to Phrae.

The bus which belongs to Chakkapong Tour left Chiang Mai for Udon Thani with 42 passengers.

As the bus was entering a curve on the highway, it skidded and plunged into the ravine.

Driver of the bus identified as Suvichai Ketthes, a resident of Uttaradit, died at wheels while 15 passengers were injured.

Highway police and rescue rushed to the scene but could move all the injured out two hours later because the bus flipped over and trapped passengers inside.

All the injured passengers were admitted to Long hospital.

One passenger told the police that the bus had brake problem as soon as it left Chiang Mai but the driver continued ton drive on.

When the bus entered the curve at high speed, the braking system failed, and plunged into the ravine.

The police said initial inquiry with passengers showed that the driver also drove speedily despite of the braking failure.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/driver-killed-bus-plunged-ravine/

-- Thai PBS 2014-10-17

Wasn't there a campaign introduced a while back to promote safety on long distance buses?

Seems as if it has been about as successful as the survival of a snowball in hell.

Another fine example of papering over the cracks it would seem.

Interprovincial tour bus falls off a cliff in Phrae province

PHRAE, 17 October 2014 (NNT) - A tour bus from Chiang Mai bound for Udon Thani has fallen off a cliff into a ravine 30 meters deep, leaving one person dead and 33 others injured.

The accident took place at Long District in Phrae province. The bus bearing license plate number 10-7603.belonged to Chakrapongse Tour Company.

Lampang rescue officials along with volunteers quickly rushed to the scene. The entire process proved to be hectic, as they had to rappel down the cliff to save the victims below.

The driver of the bus was identified Suwichai Ketthata, aged 61, was reportedly killed in the accident; however, 33 others managed to survive.

Two of the injured were admitted to Long Hospital in Phrae province and four were taken to Phrae Central Hospital. The remaining 27 were allowed to go home. At this point, the authorities are looking to determine the actual cause of the accident.


-- NNT 2014-10-17

the actual cause of the accident?

How about:

1 - Bad and poorly maintained equipment (brakes for starters)

2 - Bad/nearly bald tires.

3 - Reckless driving and speeding.

4 - Lousy driver who was a) drunk; high on yaba; c) just plain stupid.d) all the previous.

Old story, in the industry "Who gives a shit"

He knew the brakes were faulty, yet drove at high speed. What hope is there for mankind?

Not surprised. The number of times I have been through those hills only to be met by a bus\coach on a 3 lane hill flashing his lights as he is coming down the hill so fast he needs all 3 lanes to make the corner. All other vehicles have to take to the verge and trees to move out of the way. Wont be the last. RIP.

Did a mad kid from a school do the translation into English?

At least one passenger realised that there was a problem with the bus's brakes which begs the question why on earth did they not get off?

I cannot imagine staying on any vehicle which had a brake problem.

I'd rather take a CBR 250 from Chiang Mai to Yala than a bus from Chiang Mai to Lampang (90 klm).

The driver paid the ultimate price for his negligence.

Hope all passengers recover okay.

These accidents make me angrier and angrier.

Having read the OP two things jump out at me. Firstly, thank goodness, there were only injuries to the passengers, although I suspect some might be serious.

Secondly, I see the police look likely to pin the blame on the driver, with their initial comment. I think they should wait until the bus has been mechanically examined and the owners have a case to answer. He may well have contributed to the accident big time, but, like a previous poster, I have to ask what were the earlier 'concerns' of the passengers re. the brakes and, secondly, why on earth didn't they gang up on him and force him to stop and report such a matter of faulty brakes.

Again, as an earlier poster said, the translation of this story makes it even more confusing to English readers. Tragic, the whole thing.

the actual cause of the accident?

How about:

1 - Bad and poorly maintained equipment (brakes for starters)

2 - Bad/nearly bald tires.

3 - Reckless driving and speeding.

4 - Lousy driver who was a) drunk; high on yaba; c) just plain stupid.d) all the previous.

And your evidence for any or all of this?

or just the usual moronic comments?

the actual cause of the accident?

How about:

1 - Bad and poorly maintained equipment (brakes for starters)

2 - Bad/nearly bald tires.

3 - Reckless driving and speeding.

4 - Lousy driver who was a) drunk; high on yaba; c) just plain stupid.d) all the previous.

And your evidence for any or all of this?

or just the usual moronic comments?

Evidence? We ain't got no stinkin' evidence.

These gasbags don't need it to convict.

the actual cause of the accident?

How about:

1 - Bad and poorly maintained equipment (brakes for starters)

2 - Bad/nearly bald tires.

3 - Reckless driving and speeding.

4 - Lousy driver who was a) drunk; high on yaba; c) just plain stupid.d) all the previous.

And your evidence for any or all of this?

or just the usual moronic comments?

Evidence? We ain't got no stinkin' evidence.

These gasbags don't need it to convict.

yes, and they are of the same ilk as the gasbags who jump gleefully to the defence of the paedophiles preying on the young in Thailand.." he's only been accused, not charged...let him have his day in court.......paedophilia is defined as prepubescent...so she was 12 (almost grown up).. she must have done it before..it was a frame up .. ...he's not a paedophile etc etc."

the actual cause of the accident?

How about:

1 - Bad and poorly maintained equipment (brakes for starters)

2 - Bad/nearly bald tires.

3 - Reckless driving and speeding.

4 - Lousy driver who was a) drunk; high on yaba; c) just plain stupid.d) all the previous.

5 - Falls asleep after driving back-to-back 10 hour shifts.

Wasn't there a campaign introduced a while back to promote safety on long distance buses?

Seems as if it has been about as successful as the survival of a snowball in hell.

Another fine example of papering over the cracks it would seem.

How long have you lived here ? Get rel.

the actual cause of the accident?

How about:

1 - Bad and poorly maintained equipment (brakes for starters)

2 - Bad/nearly bald tires.

3 - Reckless driving and speeding.

4 - Lousy driver who was a) drunk; high on yaba; c) just plain stupid.d) all the previous.

And your evidence for any or all of this?

or just the usual moronic comments?

Evidence? We ain't got no stinkin' evidence.

These gasbags don't need it to convict.

yes, and they are of the same ilk as the gasbags who jump gleefully to the defence of the paedophiles preying on the young in Thailand.." he's only been accused, not charged...let him have his day in court.......paedophilia is defined as prepubescent...so she was 12 (almost grown up).. she must have done it before..it was a frame up .. ...he's not a paedophile etc etc."

Oh dear!

(note to myself)

Another bus company to avoid like plague : Chakkapong Tour ...

Thailand averages around 70 road deaths per day.

However sad this crash is, it probably only makes the papers because there may be tourists involved.

Thailand averages around 70 road deaths per day.

However sad this crash is, it probably only makes the papers because there may be tourists involved.

There were no tourists involved.

Why imply that it would only make the papers if there were?

Are you a troublemaker?

We want to live among Thais in harmony if we can.

We all know that problems exist here, but the way to begin solving them isn't by making insulting insinuations that have no basis in fact.

Did a mad kid from a school do the translation into English?

I was thinking that myself !

Thailand averages around 70 road deaths per day.

However sad this crash is, it probably only makes the papers because there may be tourists involved.

There were no tourists involved.

Why imply that it would only make the papers if there were?

Are you a troublemaker?

We want to live among Thais in harmony if we can.

We all know that problems exist here, but the way to begin solving them isn't by making insulting insinuations that have no basis in fact.

This is a bus going from province to province, hence everyone on it was a tourist.

Thailand averages around 70 road deaths per day.

However sad this crash is, it probably only makes the papers because there may be tourists involved.

There were no tourists involved.

Why imply that it would only make the papers if there were?

Are you a troublemaker?

We want to live among Thais in harmony if we can.

We all know that problems exist here, but the way to begin solving them isn't by making insulting insinuations that have no basis in fact.

This is a bus going from province to province, hence everyone on it was a tourist.

I was equating tourists with farangs... weren't you?

Finally, a driver didn't pull a runner.