Thai government suspends licence of operator involved in school bus fire that killed at least 23

BANGKOK - Thailand’s Department of Land Transport (DLT) has temporarily suspended the public transport licence of the operator of the tour bus that caught fire while transporting students in Pathum Thani province on Oct 1.

The accident resulted in 20 students and three teachers dying in the fire, out of a total of 39 students and six teachers on board.

The Thai police have arrested and pressed four charges against the 48-year-old bus driver, who fled the scene of the tragedy, reported The Bangkok Post on Oct 2.

He turned himself in to police in Ang Thong province’s Wiset Chai Chan district on the night of the accident, and was returned to Pathum Thani’s Khu Khut police station for further questioning.

The driver told investigators that he ran to grab a fire extinguisher from another bus but failed to put out the fire, and ran away because he panicked, reported the Associated Press.

He said he was in deep shock when he left the scene and fled to a relative’s house, according to The Bangkok Post.

DLT director-general Jirut Wisaljit said that a bus with the licence plate 30-0423 Sing Buri was registered to an individual named Panisara Shinbutr, whose licence is now suspended.

The department’s team of engineers will investigate the vehicle and its safety equipment thoroughly to determine the cause of the accident, he said, adding that the authority will pursue legal action against the operator if it is found that the accident is its fault.

Mr Jirut added that the department has issued a notice to other tour bus operators to strictly adhere to safety standards to prevent a repeat of such a tragedy.

Meanwhile, families have arrived in Bangkok to help identify their loved ones, according to AP.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said she has instructed the relevant ministers to visit the site of a tragic

school bus fire that resulted in the deaths of at least 23

.

The ministers include two deputy prime ministers – Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul and Minister of Transport Suriya Juangroongruangkit – as well as Deputy Minister of Interior Sabida Thaiset, who hails from Uthai Thani, the same province as the students on the bus.

Addressing the incident on her personal Instagram account, Ms Paetongtarn stated: “I am deeply aware of the bus fire incident from Uthai Thani, which was carrying students for a field trip to Bangkok and was involved in an accident in Vibhavadi Rangsit road, resulting in casualties and injuries.

“As a mother, I extend my deepest condolences to the families of those injured and deceased.

“As the government, I have already instructed Mr Anutin, Mr Suriya and Ms Sabida to personally visit the site. The government will cover the medical expenses and provide support to the families of the deceased.”

When reporters attempted to ask the Prime Minister about her thoughts on the situation, she did not respond and quickly walked away from the media without saying anything.

It was observed that she wiped her tears with tissue before swiftly entering the Government House.

Reports indicate that upon hearing about the incident, Ms Paetongtarn broke down in tears as she felt deeply saddened that children of that age could not help themselves in such a tragedy.

The bus carried 38 children – ranging from kindergarten age to young teenagers – and six teachers on a school trip.

Meanwhile, Ms Mananya Thaiset, former deputy minister of agriculture and cooperatives of Thailand and former mayor of Uthai Thani, posted contact information to assist the parents of the affected students. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK