32 injured in Russian tourist bus crash at Pattaya toll gate (video)
A Russian tourist bus crashed at a toll gate in Pattaya yesterday, December 2, resulting in 32 injuries. The incident is suspected to have been caused by a brake system failure.
The Sawang Borriboon Dhammastan Rescue Foundation and Mueang Pattaya Police Station were alerted to the accident at the Pong Toll Gate at around 6.50pm. Two vehicles were damaged at the scene: a coach bus belonging to the Kimhor Tour Company and a Toyota Fortuner SUV.
The bus was reportedly carrying 40 Russian tourists, a driver and a bus worker. The bus was en route from the eastern province of Rayong to a hotel in Pattaya. According to the JS100 news agency, 32 Russians, a Thai bus driver, and a worker were injured, while 10 others escaped unharmed.
The situation was chaotic, and the foreign tourists panicked due to petrol leaking from the bus, which raised concerns about a possible explosion or fire. Rescue workers carefully evacuated each victim from the vehicle.
Among the injured, six Russian passengers were reported to be in serious condition, while 27 others sustained minor injuries. The injured tourists were rushed to hospital, while the remaining passengers were transported to their hotel in Pattaya via an official van.
The bus driver, 74 year old Sayan Kumpithak, was also seriously injured when the bus’s windscreen struck his head during the crash. He informed police that he lost control of the vehicle and was unable to stop it despite applying the brakes.
Sudden swerve
CCTV footage showed the SUV slowing down to pass through the toll gate. The coach bus, travelling at high speed, made a sudden swerve to the right lane and collided with the SUV and the toll booth.
A toll worker who witnessed the accident stated that the bus initially attempted to enter toll gate number 2, which was closed. The bus then swerved suddenly to gate number 3, but it leaned to the right, crashing into another vehicle and the toll booth.
Police suspect the crash was caused by a brake system failure, although they plan to question the bus driver further once his condition improves.
Thai netizens expressed scepticism about the driver’s claim of brake failure. Many argued that the bus was travelling at excessive speed as it approached the toll gate, which they believe led to the accident.
There has been no report regarding whether the driver or passengers in the SUV sustained any injuries.
