Heavy winds send bus teetering off pier [video]

PHUKET: In a scene straight from “The Italian Job”, a shuttle bus was blown half-way off of Chalong Pier and left hanging in delicate balance, as Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) workers attempted to haul it back onto the roadway.

Officials said the heavy winds this morning were responsible for blowing the bus nearly off the pier from its parking spot at the Phuket Yacht Control Center.

“The bus was parked without the handbrake pulled up,” said Chalong Municipality Council member Supawattakan Amnuay Khunluk. “It is normally used for taking tourists to the pier. Luckily, there was no one on board at the time of the incident.”

Mr Supawattakan said this should serve as a warning to the OrBorJor to ensure that all vehicles are parked safely.

“We hope to avoid any such incidents in the future,” he said.

A crane from the OrBorJor was called to pull the bus back to safety.

— Chutharat Plerin