BANGKOK — Acting Police Chief Pol Gen Kittirat Panpetch stated in a press conference on Wednesday that no evidence supports the theory of a bus tire explosion in the tragic incident that occurred in Pathum Thani. Investigators discovered 11 NGV tanks installed in the bus, five of which lacked the necessary permits.
The bus, carrying six teachers and 39 students from Uthai Thani Province, was en route to Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi provinces for a school trip on October 1 when a fire broke out on a highway in Pathum Thani, approximately 260 kilometers from the school. The fire spread rapidly, resulting in 23 fatalities, including 10 students and three female teachers. Three individuals, including two students and one student’s mother, remain hospitalized.
Pol Gen Kittirat provided updates on the ongoing investigation into the fire, which occurred on the evening of October 1. The bus driver, Saman Chanput, aged 38, turned himself in to Wiset Chaichan Police Station in Ang Thong Province and was subsequently transferred for questioning at Khlong Luang Police Station in Pathum Thani. Chanput claimed that the bus lost balance after a problem with its front-right tire, causing it to collide with another vehicle and scrape against a concrete barrier. Sparks from the impact reportedly ignited the fire.
Despite attempting to use a fire extinguisher from another bus in the convoy, Chanput was unable to put out the blaze and fled the scene in panic. He has since been charged with reckless driving leading to death, physical and mental harm, and failing to provide assistance after the incident. The driver has initially confessed to the charges.
Forensic investigators, alongside the Department of Land Transport, inspected the vehicle and discovered that only six of the 11 NGV tanks were properly registered. The remaining tanks were illegally installed, violating safety regulations. Pol Gen Kittirat suggested that faulty equipment likely caused the fire but emphasized that additional evidence, such as tire marks, GPS data, and speed analysis, would be required to complete the investigation.
“If any individuals or companies are found to have been involved in or complicit with illegal modifications, the Royal Thai Police will take action to the fullest extent,” Pol Gen Kittirat stated.


The Department of Land Transport’s Deputy Director-General, Eksom Akaraphan, confirmed that the bus had been registered in 1970 and was re-registered in 2018. Although the emergency exit door was operational during the post-incident inspection, a glass-breaking hammer, required by law, was missing. Eksom added that the investigation into the unpermitted fuel tanks was ongoing, and the transport operator’s license had been suspended, along with the driver’s license and the company’s safety personnel registration.
In a parallel development, the Police Forensic Science Office, in collaboration with the Police General Hospital, completed the identification of the 23 victims. Following the identification, highway and tourist police escorted the victims’ bodies back to their hometown in Uthai Thani.
Further complicating the case, the Department of Land Transport reported that the owner of the bus, which belonged to Chinnaboot Engineering (Thailand) Co., had attempted to conceal the illegal gas cylinders by hiding them in other buses from the same fleet. After failing to comply with an inspection order, authorities tracked five buses via GPS to a garage in Nakhon Ratchasima, where they were found undergoing the removal of the additional gas cylinders. “This shows an intent to hide evidence of illegal vehicle modifications,” stated Jirut Wisanjit, Director-General of the Department of Land Transport.
The investigation revealed that the bus involved in the fire had been in service for over 50 years and had undergone multiple modifications, including retrofitting to use gas. Forensic police confirmed the presence of 11 gas cylinders, but only six had been legally certified. Authorities have yet to conclusively determine how the fire started, although they believe a gas leak may have played a role.


In response to the tragedy, the Ministry of Education ordered a temporary suspension of all school field trips while safety evaluations of tour buses are conducted. The suspension has severely impacted the operations of many bus companies, with operators like Thawatchai Wongwanitkanwarn of Nakhon Ratchasima voicing concerns over the blanket halt. Thawatchai noted that while his double-decker buses primarily cater to private tours, many operators who depend on school contracts are facing significant financial losses.
The tour bus industry, already struggling to recover from the pandemic, now faces additional setbacks. Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob’s decision to halt school outings has exacerbated these challenges, particularly for companies that rely heavily on student transport. Operators like Chamroon Wannapas of Ae Transport in Khon Kaen reported an 80% cancellation rate following the incident. With bus hire fees ranging from 5,000 to 15,000 baht per day, the cancellations are causing financial strain. Chamroon, while empathetic to the grieving families, expressed hope for clarity on when services might resume.
Government officials have promised stricter safety regulations and more thorough inspections of gas-powered buses as part of broader efforts to prevent such tragedies from recurring.