Bangkok, October 3 (Siam Int'l News) – A school bus fire in suburban Bangkok claimed 23 lives, including 20 students and three teachers, on Tuesday afternoon. The bus, from Wat Khao Phraya Sangkharam School in Uthai Thani, was heading to Ayutthaya for a field trip when it caught fire near Don Mueang Airport. The incident underscores ongoing public safety issues in Thailand’s transportation sector.
Reports indicate the driver fled, and the rear exit door jammed, trapping passengers. Witnesses saw the bus veering before flames engulfed it. Rescue efforts saved 16 students and three teachers, who were taken to hospitals with serious injuries.
This tragedy highlights Thailand’s ongoing safety lapses. Data from the Ministry of Transport reveals over 200 school bus incidents in the last decade, causing more than 100 deaths. Despite regulations like the Road Traffic Act and School Bus Safety Regulations, enforcement remains weak, and Thailand ranks high in global road fatalities.
The political fallout is significant, with renewed pressure on the government to enforce stricter safety measures. Public frustration has grown due to the lack of effective action, and this tragedy may further erode trust in state institutions.
Moving forward, experts urge systemic reforms, including stricter penalties, comprehensive safety checks, and stronger law enforcement, to prevent such preventable tragedies. Public demand for accountability and real change remains high, as the country mourns this heartbreaking loss.
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