PHUKET: Furious tourists from Europe were left with just the clothes they stood up in after a spectacular blaze destroyed their tour bus on the road between Bangkok and Samui early today.
The 34 tourists claimed that help was slow to arrive, the bus driver couldn't put out the fire with the small extinguisher and their happy holidays in Thailand had been reduced to ashes.
The Chokmalidang bus left Khao San Road in Bangkok, a popular area with backpackers, about 7.30pm last night.
Smelling smoke, the driver pulled over in Chumpon province about 3am. A fire broke out near the left rear wheel and quickly spread.
Sleeping passengers were evacuated safely - but the luggage was destroyed.
Tourists milled around helplessly and were angry when a fire truck arrived an hour after the first alert.
Lieutenant Detbandit Dulperi of Sawi, in Chumpon told Phuketwan today that an investigation had begun.
''We will try to find out the cause and whether the bus company has insurance that covers the loss of the tourists' possessions,'' he said.
The 34 tourists claimed that help was slow to arrive, the bus driver couldn't put out the fire with the small extinguisher and their happy holidays in Thailand had been reduced to ashes.
The Chokmalidang bus left Khao San Road in Bangkok, a popular area with backpackers, about 7.30pm last night.
Smelling smoke, the driver pulled over in Chumpon province about 3am. A fire broke out near the left rear wheel and quickly spread.
Sleeping passengers were evacuated safely - but the luggage was destroyed.
Tourists milled around helplessly and were angry when a fire truck arrived an hour after the first alert.
Lieutenant Detbandit Dulperi of Sawi, in Chumpon told Phuketwan today that an investigation had begun.
''We will try to find out the cause and whether the bus company has insurance that covers the loss of the tourists' possessions,'' he said.
In most developed countries insurance would be mandatory and also much higher maintenance.
Posted by Where you come from? on March 19, 2015 13:19