The recent inspections conducted by the Department of Land Transport in Thailand have shone a glaring spotlight on safety standards, or the lack thereof, in CNG-fueled buses. Of the 1,331 buses examined since October 4, a staggering 68 have failed to meet the necessary safety criteria, resulting in their temporary sidelining.
This wave of inspections was spurred by a heart-wrenching tragedy on October 1, when a bus carrying students and teachers from Wat Khao Praya Sangkharam School in Uthai Thani caught fire, leading to the tragic demise of 20 students and three teachers. The incident occurred in Pathum Thani and raised a serious alarm over the safety of vintage buses, as the ill-fated vehicle was an astonishing 54 years old. Its retrofit to accommodate compressed natural gas was alarmingly out of sync with existing safety regulations.
The findings revealed by the department aren’t entirely uplifting. Despite the dire circumstances, it’s alarming to note that 5% of the buses inspected exhibited defects. The most prevalent issues uncovered were discernibly expired gas cylinders and malfunctioning equipment, painting a grim picture of the maintenance adherence in the industry.
In a flicker of optimism, 12 of these defected behemoths have been repaired and given the green light to hit the roads once more. For the rest, operators are under a tight 15-day deadline to address the stark shortcomings and present their vehicles for a subsequent round of inspections.
To understand the scope of the challenge, one must consider that Thailand is home to approximately 13,400 buses powered by CNG. However, the current scope of inspections has only encompassed a mere 10% of these rolling giants, indicating a mammoth task still looms ahead for the Ministry of Transport.
Meanwhile, amidst the bureaucratic shuffle and mechanical rehauls, human lives are still recovering from the tragic day. Three promising young students continue their battle in hospital, enduring treatments for the burns they sustained in that dreadful fire.
The investigation post-tragedy unearthed a grim attempt at deception by Chinnaboot Tour of Sing Buri, the operator responsible for the ill-fated bus. They made futile attempts to camouflage non-compliant CNG installations within their fleet—an act of negligence now unveiled and condemned.
Repercussions have rippled through the system, with legal action being taken against key figures in this tragic sequence. Driver Samarn Chanthabut, the owner of the bus, and the proprietors of the company have all been charged, marking a crucial step in enforcing accountability and deterrence in such grievous lapses in safety and compliance.
This unsettling chapter is a stern reminder of the critical importance of stringent safety protocols and rigorous compliance checks, ensuring every trip is a safe journey rather than a potential tragedy.
This is disgraceful! How can they let buses this old run on our roads?
Exactly! Buses older than my grandpa shouldn’t be driving around students.
I just can’t believe it took something so tragic to make them inspect these buses.
You both have a point. Regular inspections should be mandatory, not just after accidents.
Our hearts go out to the families of the victims. It’s a reminder of the price we pay for negligence.
I think the company should be shut down for trying to hide their non-compliance.
Shutting down might be extreme, but hefty fines and strict regulations are needed.
It’s just sad. Those poor kids were only trying to study and they lost their lives.
Yes, it’s really tragic. Such accidents are preventable with better regulation.
This is why public transportation needs more funding. We can’t risk lives over cost-cutting.
Why are we even using CNG buses if they are this unsafe?
CNG is supposed to be more environmentally friendly, but safety checks are crucial.
CNG is a good option actually, but only if it’s managed well. Proper maintenance is key.
The drivers should be trained better. Maybe they could have prevented this?
Training is important, but what about the owners? They’re the ones cutting corners.
This tragedy highlights systemic flaws in oversight and regulation.
5% of buses failing safety checks is too high. Would you use a 54-year-old device at home?
Good point, Simon! Newer vehicles are more reliable and safer.
How often does this happen elsewhere? Thailand can’t be the only country with outdated buses.
This is why worldwide standards for vehicle safety should be enforced more strictly.
There’s something fishy about them waiting until after a tragedy to do inspections.
Agreed! It shouldn’t take a tragedy to spur action.
Accountability is crucial. It’s time for serious legal reforms to prevent future incidents.
What about the government? They should be regulating this more rigorously.
True. Governments are ultimate stewards of public safety.
Seeing legal action against the company is good, but will it bring real change?
Legal action is a start, but reforming policies and enforcing regulations is indeed essential.
Hopefully, the tragedy will lead to tougher laws and better checks in future.