Phuket bound bus slammed by truck, 12 injured

PHUKET: Twelve people were injured when a bus bound for Phuket from Haad Yai crashed with a pickup truck in Phattalung Province in rainy conditions on Thursday night.

Na Kayad District Police were notified of a crash on the Asia Highway in Kwan Kanoon District, Phatthalung Province, at about 10pm.

Police led by Lt Wittaya Sutthirak arrived at the scene to find the coach overturned in a roadside ditch in Praek Ha subdistrict.

The brightly-colored, double-decker bus was operated by the Phattalung Thaksan Kusorn Tour Company.

The other vehicle, a pickup truck laden with rubber tree logs, was also damaged. Three of its passengers were among the 12 injured. All were rushed to Kwan Kanoon Hospital for treatment.

Lt Wittaya, who conducted the initial investigation, said the bus was travelling in the left lane when it was suddenly cut off by the pickup.

Bus driver Winai Lonnui, from Phattalung, told police he lost control of the bus on the wet road and the two vehicles collided.

Ten of the injured were listed as:

Mrs Grana Khanthong, 42
Mrs Rawiwan Moosor, 48
Mr Teerapong Srinuanead, 41
Mr Supong Buadam, 55
Mr Budrin Damsamut, 46
Mr Thanapol Jaepong, 43
Ms Wiranya Thongboonkaew, 26
Mr Somjai Nuanpakdee, 56
Mr Jiraporn Jaroenma, 23
Mr Pichit Sungkrit, 45
Two other victims, both males, were not identified.

Although Phuket and Haad Yai have the two largest airports in the South of Thailand, there has been no flight service between them since Happy Air suspended this route last year.

— KomChadLuek