PATTAYA, Thailand – Another tour bus accident in Thailand has once again highlighted concerns over long-distance road safety, with many travelers—including visitors to Pattaya—saying such incidents remain a worrying part of travel in the country.
The latest crash occurred on the evening of March 5 in Nakhon Ratchasima, when a double-decker tour bus carrying 53 passengers lost control during heavy rain from a summer storm.
The accident took place around 7:45 p.m. on the bypass road in Nakhon Ratchasima, near the Phutthatham 31 Rescue Foundation in Nong Krathum subdistrict. According to rescue workers, the bus skidded on the wet roadway and slid into the median drainage ditch, with its front section nearly fully dropping into the channel.
Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene to manage traffic and prevent further accidents while another team inspected the bus and assisted passengers.
Despite the dramatic scene, authorities said no serious injuries were reported. All 53 passengers were left shaken, with only minor bruises reported among some travelers.
The driver told police he was transporting passengers from Surin to Nakhon Nayok when the incident occurred. While rainfall from the summer storm had eased in some areas, standing water and mud on the road surface made driving conditions extremely slippery.
The driver said the bus suddenly lost traction, causing the wheels to skid before the vehicle slid into the roadside ditch. Fortunately, the bus did not overturn, which could have resulted in a far more serious accident.
Police from Pho Klang Police Station ordered passengers to be evacuated to a safe waiting area while officers documented the crash site and vehicle condition. A recovery truck was later called in to pull the bus back onto the road.
Investigators say the exact cause of the accident is still under review, including whether it was due to the slippery road surface, mechanical issues, or driver conditions.
The latest incident has once again sparked discussion among travelers and residents about the safety of long-distance bus travel in Thailand. Many tourists heading to major destinations such as Pattaya rely on tour buses for interprovincial journeys, making such accidents particularly concerning.
While authorities note that severe injuries were avoided in this case, the crash serves as another reminder of the challenges posed by sudden storms, road conditions, and the heavy use of overnight buses across the country.
