BANGKOK – A chartered bus rolled upside down into a ditch in eastern Thailand early Wednesday morning, killing 18 people and injuring 31, officials said.
The accident occurred in Prachinburi province during an overnight journey from northern Thailand to coastal Rayong province for a municipal study tour.
The Department of Land Transport said it would coordinate with police in investigating the latest road accident and would intensify inspections of all public transport vehicles to ensure they meet safety standards.
Road safety is a major problem in Thailand, which according to the World Health Organization ranks ninth out of 175 member countries for road traffic deaths.
In December 2023, a bush crash in the western province of Prachuap Khiri Khan killed 14 people and injured more than 30 others.
The vehicle was carrying 49 people when it ran off the road and hit a tree. Police investigated the possibility its driver had fallen asleep.
“It was a downhill road and the brakes failed, and the driver lost control of the vehicle before it overturned,” said Colonel Sophon Phramaneehe, adding those who died were adults on a study trip.
Social media posts showed rescue and medical workers at the scene in Prachinburi province, 155 km east of the capital, Bangkok, helping victims near the bus with its undercarriage exposed.
Local official Somjai Phutthasena said about 20 injured passengers were taken to hospital, warning that some remained in critical condition.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her condolences to the victims’ families and said an investigation was ongoing.