PATTAYA, Thailand – Twenty-eight people were injured after a double-decker passenger bus traveling from Surat Thani to Bangkok lost control, crashed into a central median, and overturned on Phetkasem Road in Phetchaburi during the early hours of June 5. The accident occurred at approximately 3:36 a.m. on the inbound side of Phetkasem Road near kilometer marker 129+900 in Khao Yoi district, opposite Sophon Crane. Emergency responders from local rescue units, police, and medical services rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a major traffic accident involving a long-distance coach. Authorities found the air-conditioned double-decker bus, operating on the Surat Thani-Bangkok route and identified as vehicle number 993-4, lying on its side after reportedly striking the road median.
A total of 31 people, including passengers and crew members, were on board at the time of the crash. Initial assessments showed that 23 people sustained minor injuries while five suffered moderate injuries. Three occupants escaped without injury. Rescue personnel from the Sawang Sanphet Foundation, supported by ambulances from Khao Yoi Hospital, provided emergency treatment at the scene before transporting the injured to nearby hospitals for further medical care.
Police officers assisted with traffic management and launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Authorities have not yet determined whether driver fatigue, mechanical failure, road conditions, or other factors contributed to the accident. Despite the severity of the incident and extensive damage to the bus, officials confirmed that no fatalities were reported.
The crash is likely to reignite concerns about transportation safety in Thailand, particularly among domestic and international travelers. Pattaya, one of the country’s leading tourism destinations, relies heavily on interprovincial bus services connecting Bangkok, airports, and major southern provinces. Although all passengers survived this latest accident, recurring reports of serious bus crashes continue to fuel debate over road safety standards, driver welfare, vehicle inspections, and enforcement measures nationwide. For many tourists and residents alike, each high-profile accident serves as another reminder that road safety remains a significant challenge as Thailand seeks to strengthen confidence in its transport network and tourism industry.
