In a tragic accident in eastern Thailand early on Wednesday morning, a chartered bus overturned, resulting in the deaths of 18 individuals and injuring 31 more, authorities reported.
The incident took place in Prachinburi province during a nighttime journey headed from northern regions of Thailand to the coastal Rayong province, as part of a municipal study excursion.
The Department of Land Transport has announced plans to work closely with police forces to thoroughly investigate this recent road catastrophe. The agency also vowed to step up inspections of all public transport vehicles to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Road safety has been an ongoing and significant concern in Thailand, which the World Health Organization has placed ninth in terms of road traffic fatalities among its 175 member nations.
This issue was brought into sharp focus last October, when a devastating bus fire during a school field trip resulted in the tragic loss of 23 young students and teachers. That incident raised suspicions around negligent vehicle maintenance and insufficient inspections as possible contributing factors.
In another tragic occurrence in December 2023, a bus accident in the western province of Prachuap Khiri Khan claimed 14 lives and left over 30 others injured. That vehicle was transporting 49 passengers when it veered off the road and collided with a tree. Investigators examined the possibility of the driver having fallen asleep at the wheel.
