PHUKET: About 40 passengers and the driver were injured when a bus from Phuket heading to join a political protest in Bangkok flipped in Surat Thani province this afternoon.
All those on board were believed to be Phuket people. The crash came at 3.10pm in heavy rain when the driver lost control and the bus flipped.
The crash is the latest in a string of bus smashes, some involving large numbers of Russian tourists or international students.
Twenty-five injured were taken to Tharongchang Hospital, 14 were taken to Punpin Hospital and one was taken to Surat Thani Hospital.
The group was bound for Bangkok and Ratchadamnoen Road, site of a protest aimed at toppling what's being called ''the Thaksin regime'' and reducing corruption in Thailand.
Tomorrow is set to be a significant day with protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, a former Democrat Deputy Prime Minister, hoping to call hundreds of thousands of opponents of fugitive PM Thaksin Shinawatra onto the streets of the capital.
Present PM Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's sister, is coming under increasing pressure to recognise the protesters and perhaps call an election.
Phuket and Thailand's 14 southern provinces, along with Bangkok, have always been opposition strongholds. However, the ruling Pheu Thai party, led by Khun Yingluck, retains shaky control.
The following people were know to be among the injured: Supat Jalemkul, 48, Somjai ---- 45, Plenjid Tanmani, 61, Chatchai Sarikphan, 50, Songsak Rungboontok, 47.
All those on board were believed to be Phuket people. The crash came at 3.10pm in heavy rain when the driver lost control and the bus flipped.
The crash is the latest in a string of bus smashes, some involving large numbers of Russian tourists or international students.
Twenty-five injured were taken to Tharongchang Hospital, 14 were taken to Punpin Hospital and one was taken to Surat Thani Hospital.
The group was bound for Bangkok and Ratchadamnoen Road, site of a protest aimed at toppling what's being called ''the Thaksin regime'' and reducing corruption in Thailand.
Tomorrow is set to be a significant day with protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, a former Democrat Deputy Prime Minister, hoping to call hundreds of thousands of opponents of fugitive PM Thaksin Shinawatra onto the streets of the capital.
Present PM Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's sister, is coming under increasing pressure to recognise the protesters and perhaps call an election.
Phuket and Thailand's 14 southern provinces, along with Bangkok, have always been opposition strongholds. However, the ruling Pheu Thai party, led by Khun Yingluck, retains shaky control.
The following people were know to be among the injured: Supat Jalemkul, 48, Somjai ---- 45, Plenjid Tanmani, 61, Chatchai Sarikphan, 50, Songsak Rungboontok, 47.
Egads, are we to expect a bus crash a day from now on? Is there no safe option for mass transit within Thailand at all, ever?
Posted by Christy S on November 23, 2013 18:01