The Department of Land Transport admitted that the company involved in the accident requested permission to install 6 gas tanks, but 11 gas tanks were found in the vehicle. An investigation is underway to find the source. The acting national police chief confirmed that the driver was guilty of negligence, knowing that the vehicle had a problem but still driving, resulting in the loss of 23 lives.
Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet, acting national police chief, and his team announced progress in the case of a school bus fire in Uthai Thani province, which resulted in the deaths of 23 teachers and students, three serious injuries, and 19 survivors. Before the press conference, Pol. Gen. Kittirat asked the media to stand in silence for one minute to express their sorrow over the incident.
Pol. Gen. Kittirat revealed that last night, after Mr. Saman, the driver, surrendered at Wiset Chai Chan Police Station, Ang Thong Province, before being taken to Khu Khot Police Station, Pathum Thani Province, and is currently und
er police custody, Mr. Saman confessed to all charges and is currently under investigation for the elements of the offense, including the investigation and consideration of the guilt of the operator. Yesterday, after the incident, witnesses at the scene reported hearing a sound like a front tire exploding, causing the car to lose control and hit a car driving in that area before hitting the barrier. From questioning, Mr. Saman claimed to have heard the sound of the car’s pistons but did not stop to look and continued driving until the car lost control. This shows that the driver knew that the car had a problem but did not stop the car, evacuate the passengers, and inspect the condition of the car, which shows negligence that caused serious losses.
As for the cause of this accident, Pol. Gen. Kittirat said that we must wait for clarity and wait for evidence examination from experts first. But initially, it is assumed that the cause was a defective equipment, which caused a spark, which was the cause of the fi
re.
As for the inspection of the bus involved in the accident, the Police Forensic Science Office, together with the Department of Land Transport, has already inspected the vehicle, but more evidence from the scene still needs to be collected, such as tire marks and other evidence, to be included in the case, especially the GPS of the vehicle to determine how fast it was going at the time of the accident.
Pol. Gen. Kittirat also revealed that the identification of the deceased has now been confirmed, with 23 people already having DNA samples for comparison. As for the other one, they are waiting for their families to collect DNA samples for comparison. Today, the bodies of the 22 deceased will be sent to Uthai Thani Province. Two vehicles will be used to transport each body: one for the foundation to contain the body of the deceased and another for the family, in 3-4 convoys, with police cars leading the way and blocking the road. When they arrive in Uthai Thani Province, the governor of Uthai Thani will be
waiting to receive the body before sending it to the family for religious rites. While passing the scene of the accident, the cars will stop so that the family can perform a ceremony to invite the spirit.
Mr. Ekasom Akaraphan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Land Transport, revealed that the vehicle was registered with the Department of Land Transport in 1970 and was re-registered on October 15, 1998, following the procedures of the Land Transport Project and was certified by an engineer. As for the details of whether the vehicle was registered along the way, it is currently being investigated to see where it was registered. In addition, the vehicle was registered or taxed on May 23, 2024, with the tax expiration date being June 30, 2025. The Department of Land Transport has already set up a fact-finding committee. The inspection of the emergency door found that it could be opened, but that does not mean that the door could have been opened at the time of the accident, because the inspection was
after the car had already been in an accident. However, no glass-breaking hammer, which is a safety device that should be installed in the vehicle, was found. As for whether there is a lot or a little safety equipment, it depends on what standards the Department of Land Transport has set. The criteria and regulations already specify what safety equipment must be included.
He also said that the car itself had no problems, but the engine had been modified. He wanted the car to be seen as not being modified but being made anew. Initially, it was found that there were 11 gas tanks, but from the inspection, it was found that permission had been requested for only 6 tanks, which will have to be investigated. Currently, the transport operator’s license has been suspended, the driver’s license has been suspended, and the registration of the company’s transportation safety management personnel has been cancelled.
According to the Department of Land Transport, the road where the accident occurred has a speed limit of
no more than 90 kilometers per hour. From the initial investigation, the vehicle was traveling at 80 kilometers per hour. In this case, the vehicle did not exceed the speed limit set by law. However, we will have to wait for the results of a detailed GPS investigation.
Source: Thai News Agency