16-1-2024 (BANGKOK) An accident involving a white Hino bus carrying 17 Chinese tourists occurred at 8:10 am, prompting a swift response from law enforcement and emergency responders. The incident took place on Thepkrasattri Rd northbound, known for its accident-prone curve.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers, including Pol Lt Col Akaraphon Sriwilai of the Tha Chatchai Police, and rescue workers from the Kusuldharm Foundation, discovered the bus overturned and sprawled across two lanes, with its windshield pushed onto the central reservation.
The bus, registered in Buriram, was en route from Phuket town to Thap Lamu Pier in Phang Nga. Its destination was the Similan Islands, where the tourists were scheduled to board a boat.
Out of the 17 tourists on board, two men sustained serious injuries, while the remaining six men, eight women, and one child suffered various injuries in the accident. The injured were promptly transported to Thalang Hospital for medical attention.
The accident spot is recognized as a blackspot for accidents, with warning signs cautioning drivers to reduce speed before approaching the curve. Preliminary investigations by Tha Chatchai Police suggest that the bus was travelling too fast to navigate the curve safely, leading to the overturning of the vehicle.
Tha Chatchai Police are currently conducting a thorough investigation into the incident, with the assistance of Tourist Police, who continue to provide support to the affected tourists at Thalang Hospital. As the details unfold, concerns about road safety on this particular stretch remain in focus.
