In the early hours of February 26, 2025, a double-decker bus carrying over 130 officials from Bueng Kan province crashed in Prachin Buri, killing 19 and injuring 32. According to the Ministry of Transport, the driver did not take the mandated rest after four hours of driving, a violation of legal requirements.
The ill-fated bus was part of a group of three chartered vehicles taking officials from Porn Charoen Tambon municipality in Bueng Kan on a two-day inspection trip to Rayong. The crash occurred at approximately 3 a.m. on Khao Thone, a downhill stretch in Nadee district of Prachin Buri, when the bus veered off the road and plunged into a ditch. The accident left a toll of 19 fatalities and 32 injuries, with survivors taken to local hospitals.
Sorapong Paitoonphong, the deputy permanent secretary of Thailand’s Transport Ministry, revealed that GPS data from the bus indicated the vehicle had been on the road for six hours without taking a required rest. The journey began at 5:01 p.m. on February 25 from Porn Charoen district, passing through various cities before reaching Nakhon Ratchasima at around 11:55 p.m. The bus continued to Prachin Buri, arriving at Nadee district at 3:09 a.m. The driver, despite adhering to speed limits, had exceeded the legal driving duration.
Under current regulations, chartered buses are not required to have two drivers for long-distance travel, unlike public transport buses. However, drivers must take brief rest periods after four hours of continuous driving. Authorities are now investigating the incident further, with police asked to look into the failure to comply with these rest requirements.
As the community mourns, a funeral service is being held today at Pa Vivek Thammakhun Temple in Porn Charoen sub-district for the 18 victims who died in the crash. Their remains were transported back to Bueng Kan province on the evening of February 27. Bueng Kan Governor Chumpot Wannachatsiri has assured that families of the victims will receive compensation and counseling services as needed.
