Authorities to Ban Double-Decker Buses Following Fatal Father’s Day Crash

PUBLISHED: 6 Dec 2023 at 18:13

Following a tragic accident in Prachuap Khiri Khan province that claimed the lives of 14 passengers, the Thai government has announced that double-decker buses will be banned within the next four to five years. This decision comes as a necessary measure to address safety concerns surrounding these iconic vehicles.

Deputy government spokeswoman Rudklao Suwankiri expressed her condolences to the families and friends of the victims, who lost their lives when a double-decker bus veered off the road and collided with trees. The accident occurred on Tuesday at approximately 1am, at the 331-kilometre marker in tambon Huai Yang of Thap Sakae district in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Rescue workers discovered 14 bodies at the scene, with seven found in the upper deck, three in the lower deck, and four outside the bus. The driver, identified as Somsak, is currently in critical condition at Prachuap Khiri Khan Hospital.

Transport Minister, in response to the incident, has amended regulations that now limit the height of double-decker buses to four meters, down from the current 4.3 meters. Additionally, each bus must install a GPS system, which will be subject to inspection.

Furthermore, the licenses of existing double-decker buses will not be renewed, effectively phasing out these vehicles within the next 4-5 years. The government aims to ensure that the current fleet of double-decker buses will be the last of its kind in Thailand.

While investigations into the accident are ongoing, Kongsak Chuenkrailart, coordinator of the public transport safety program at the Foundation for Consumers, suggested that driver fatigue and lack of vehicle maintenance may have contributed to the crash. He also highlighted discrepancies between the bus company’s name and the firm that provided the bus tickets, urging authorities to reassess safety standards and passenger guarantees.

The Department of Land Transport has confirmed that the bus involved in the accident was traveling below the speed limit at 88 kilometers per hour, which is under the permitted 90 km/h limit.