ILLEGAL MODIFICATIONS LINKED TO FATAL SCHOOL BUS FIRE, THAI AUTHORITIES REVEAL

By Kenny Teng Khoon Hock

BANGKOK, Oct 3 (Bernama) -- Thailand’s Department of Land Transport has revealed that the operator of the school bus involved in a recent fatal accident at Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, was found to have engaged in illegal vehicle modifications.

Director-General of the Department of Land Transport, Jirut Wisaljitr, stated that the department had summoned the operator to bring all five buses under its control, along with affiliated vehicles, for inspection at the Lopburi Transport Office.

However, he said the operator exhibited evasive behaviour and failed to comply promptly with the inspection order.

"Upon investigating the GPS locations of the buses, the department discovered that all of the operator's buses were at a private repair facility in Nakhon Ratchasima province.

"It was found that the buses were in the process of removing gas tanks that exceeded the specifications registered with the authorities. This behaviour suggests an attempt to conceal unauthorised vehicle modifications, particularly to the gas systems, which could pose significant safety risks," Jirut said in a statement on Thursday.

He explained that the illegal gas system modifications could lead to the buses being overloaded and increase the potential for gas leaks due to improper installations, which had not been inspected by certified engineers or authorised agencies.

The Department of Land Transport has documented the incident for further legal action.

Jirut also said that the department will conduct a thorough inspection of all 13,426 public and private buses using compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel within the next 60 days to ensure safety compliance.

On Tuesday, a school bus carrying 45 passengers - six teachers and 39 students from Uthai Thani province - caught fire on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road. Tragically, 20 students and three teachers lost their lives in the accident.

-- BERNAMA