CNG and LPG vehicles face crackdown after tragic school bus fire

In a nationwide safety sweep, the Department of Land Transport (DLT) has ordered all vehicles equipped with compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks to undergo immediate inspection.

This comes in response to the bus blaze tragedy on October 1, which claimed the lives of 20 primary school children and three teachers near Bangkok.

The tragedy unfolded when one of three buses, chartered by Wat Khao Phraya Sangkaram School in Uthai Thani, burst into flames.

The ill-fated bus, overloaded with gas tanks beyond the legal limit, caught fire during a school trip to Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi, killing 23 out of 44 passengers. Officials were quick to act, with the DLT launching a crackdown on all vehicles using CNG or LPG, said a spokesperson for the department,

“Operators of these vehicles are required to bring them for inspection at Land Transport Offices nationwide, free of charge.”

The inspections will ensure compliance with safety standards, covering everything from gas cylinders and safety belts to fire extinguishers and emergency exits. Vehicles found with expired cylinders, broken parts, or gas leaks will be grounded until they meet the strict criteria.

The DLT has set an October 31 deadline for non-public transit buses, vans, and minibuses operating in Bangkok, while public transit buses and LPG-equipped vehicles must be inspected by November 30. For convenience, operators can park at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal while awaiting inspection.

In a bid to protect schoolchildren, the DLT urged the Education Ministry to avoid using CNG or LPG vehicles for field trips until safety checks are complete. The DLT will collaborate with schools to ensure safe transport and conduct safety drills before any future outings, reported The Nation.

In related news, Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra directed officials to expedite the amendment of outdated laws to enhance road safety.

At a road safety meeting on Monday, October 7, the 38 year old prime minister highlighted the tragic accident on October 1, which has led the government to reassess existing frameworks and regulations concerning vehicle safety for passengers.