A school bus carrying students and teachers on a field trip caught fire in suburban Bangkok on Tuesday, October 1, resulting in at least 23 fatalities, officials reported. The incident occurred in Pathum Thani province, a northern suburb of Thailand’s capital.
According to acting police commissioner Kitrat Phanphet, the bus was transporting 45 passengers, including 39 elementary and junior high school students and six teachers, from Uthai Thani province to Bangkok. The fire was first reported around noon and was extinguished within an hour.
Initial investigations suggest the blaze started when a tire exploded, causing sparks that ignited the natural gas-fueled vehicle. Rescue efforts were hampered by the intense heat inside the bus, which posed a risk of further explosions.
Piyalak Thinkaew, a rescuer from the Ruam Katanyu Foundation, stated that most of the bodies were found in the middle and back seats of the bus. This led rescuers to believe that the fire had originated at the front of the vehicle and the passengers then tried to move toward the back.
Authorities are still working to identify all the victims. Three teachers and 20 students remained unaccounted for, while 16 students were treated for minor injuries. Three girls were initially hospitalized, including one with severe burns to her face, mouth, and eyes.
The bus driver reportedly fled the scene following the incident. Police are currently searching for the driver, and the bus company may face charges if found responsible for negligence.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her condolences and pledged government support for the victims’ families. The government has promised to cover all medical expenses and provide compensation to those affected by the tragedy.
The incident has sparked criticism over the safety of long-distance student transportation in Thailand. The country’s roads are notorious for high rates of traffic accidents and fatalities. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 20,000 people are killed and one million are injured in road accidents in Thailand annually.
Thailand’s Transport Minister, Suriyahe Juangroongruangkit, raised concerns about the use of compressed natural gas in passenger vehicles, describing it as “extremely risky.” He suggested that measures should be implemented to ban such vehicles in the future.
The Institute of Forensic Medicine is working to identify the victims through DNA analysis. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health has deployed teams to provide psychological support to the affected families.
Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire. They are examining tire marks, burn patterns, and CCTV footage to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the tragedy.
