Fatal bus crash in northern Thailand kills two drivers, injures 44

A fatal bus crash involving a long-haul vehicle claimed the lives of its two drivers and injured 44 passengers early today in the Mueang district of Nakhon Ratchasima. The double-decker bus, run by Lotusphibul Tours, was travelling from Bung Kan to Bangkok when it collided with a steel support for a road sign.

The accident occurred around 2am, today, March 19. The Hook 31 rescue foundation reported that the bus rammed into the steel leg of a sign displaying destination directions. The impact was so severe that it instantly killed both the bus driver and the relief driver. Among the 44 injured passengers, 12 were from Laos.

Pho Klang police revealed that four of the injured passengers were in critical condition and were immediately rushed to Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital. The rest received treatment for their injuries and were subsequently discharged.

According to the police, the bus departed from Nakhon Ratchasima 2 bus terminal following a meal break, en route to Bangkok. The driver seemed to have lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a curve, leading to the descent of a bridge that crosses the northeastern rail track.

Lotusphibul Tours, which operates on several northeastern routes under a concession from the state-owned Transport Co, includes the Bangkok-Bung Kan route in its operations. As part of the safety regulations for long-haul bus services, each bus must have two drivers onboard, reported Bangkok Post.

In related news three days ago, a tragic road accident occurred when a pickup truck veered off course and collided with a streetlight before plunging into the central ditch of Mittraphap Road in Udon Thani. The driver, a 56 year old man from Udon Thani, was pronounced dead at the scene, while his wife, in her 50s, sustained injuries.

Witthaya Panlao, Chief of the Udon Thani Highway Police Volunteer Rescue Unit at the Non Sa-at service point, was alerted by a good samaritan to the crash involving a bronze Toyota Vigo with the license plate ฒห-869 Bangkok. Upon arrival, they discovered the vehicle in a state of total disrepair. The driver, identified as Chuad Krutlakorn, was found deceased, still strapped in with his seatbelt.