A tragic accident occurred near Bangkok, Thailand, on October 1, 2024, when a bus carrying students and teachers on a school field trip caught fire. The bus was transporting 45 people — 39 students and six teachers — from Uthai Thani province to Bangkok. The passengers were on a school trip to visit Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi provinces when the vehicle suddenly burst into flames just outside the city.
Rescue teams recovered 23 bodies from the burnt bus, including 11 male and seven female victims, with five others remaining unidentified due to the severity of the burns. Some bodies were difficult to recognize, with one rescuer, Piyalak Thinkaew from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, describing several as being “very, very small,” indicating that some of the victims were young children. The Bangkok Post reported that the students on board ranged from preschoolers to teenagers around 14 years old.
School Trip Tragedy in Thailand: Bus Fire Claims 23 Lives Near Bangkok, Investigation Underway
While 19 students and three teachers survived the incident, 16 of the survivors were hospitalized for treatment. Initial investigations suggest that the fire likely started at the front of the bus, as most of the bodies were found in the middle and back seats. The bus driver is believed to have survived but was not present at the scene when authorities arrived. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT) shared that recovery efforts have been difficult due to gas cylinders under the bus, which posed a risk to rescuers. Preliminary reports indicate that a tire explosion may have caused the bus to veer off course and hit a barrier, triggering the fire. The fire spread quickly, possibly fueled by the bus’s gas-powered system, which added to the severity of the tragedy.
In response, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed deep regret and pledged government support for the victims’ families. She promised to cover medical expenses for the injured and provide compensation to the families of those who lost their lives. The government is also mobilizing resources to offer psychological support and address the needs of the affected families.
