Double-decker buses are set to be banned within the next four to five years, following a tragic accident in Prachuap Khiri Khan province that resulted in the deaths of 14 passengers. Deputy government spokeswoman Rudklao Suwankiri stated that this ban is necessary to prevent future accidents.
Ms. Rudklao expressed her condolences to the victims’ families and friends on behalf of the government. The accident occurred when a double-decker bus veered off the road and collided with trees, leaving 14 people dead and 32 injured. The bus was traveling from Bangkok to Na Thawi district in Songkhla province and the incident took place in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Chatchai Saweeyanon, the chief of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Unit in Huai Yang, reported that the rescue workers found 14 bodies at the scene: seven on the upper deck, three on the lower deck, and four outside the bus. The driver, a 36-year-old man named Somsak, is currently in critical condition at Prachuap Khiri Khan Hospital.
As a result of this tragic incident, the transport minister has made amendments to regulations governing double-decker buses. The height limit for these buses will be reduced from 4.3 meters to 4 meters. Additionally, all buses must install a GPS system and make it available for inspection. The current licenses for double-decker buses will expire within the next 4-5 years, and no new licenses will be granted thereafter.
The government has also been directed by the prime minister to assist the affected families and deal with the aftermath of the accident, according to Ms. Rudklao.
Kongsak Chuenkrailart, coordinator of the public transport safety program at the Foundation for Consumers, suggested that driver fatigue and inadequate vehicle maintenance may have contributed to the crash. He also raised concerns about discrepancies in the bus company’s name and the name on the bus tickets.
Mr. Kongsak urged relevant agencies to reassess safety standards for double-decker buses and ensure passenger safety. He highlighted the lack of maintenance checks, information on service life, insurance coverage, and proof of passing a slope test as factors that have led to accidents involving double-decker buses over the years.
The Department of Land Transport revealed that the bus involved in the accident was traveling at 88 kilometers per hour, below the speed limit of 90 km/h.
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