UTHAI THANI — Cries and grief echoed once again as relatives and friends bid farewell to 23 students and teachers at the royally-bestowed cremation ceremony held at Wat Khao Phraya Sangkharam School in Lan Sak, Uthai Thani Province on October 8, 2024.
Since the shocking incident where a bus carrying students on a field trip caught fire on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Pathum Thani province on October 1, with 39 students and 6 teachers on board, 3 students are still being treated for injuries in hospitals in Pathum Thani and Bangkok.
Thousands of people attended this funeral, which in the morning included former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, ministers, politicians, government officials, and the public for a memorial service. In the afternoon, the royal cremation ceremony was held, with General Surayud Chulanont, President of the Privy Council, presiding.
During the procession to the crematorium, the bright sunny sky suddenly darkened, and it rained lightly for 10 minutes, leading some attendees to say it was like tears of sorrow.
This fatal accident has led to ongoing investigations, legal proceedings, and preventive measures. Questions remain about whether the solutions will be sustainable after the funeral of these 23 lives, especially regarding law enforcement by state officials to prevent corruption or negligence that could lead to tragedies like this one.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra ordered in the cabinet meeting on October 8, before her official visit to Laos, that relevant agencies must inspect all 13,426 vehicles with CNG-NGV gas installations nationwide within 60 days. This includes 1,336 chartered buses, 5,967 public buses, and 6,123 vans and minibuses.
In a road safety meeting on October 7, the Prime Minister requested all relevant law enforcement agencies, including the Ministries of Transport, Interior, Public Health, Social Development and Human Security, and Education, to meet and discuss updating outdated laws and regulations. This includes studying public proposals for information dissemination, such as guidelines for using emergency equipment and exits on buses via social media.
“I want all sectors to cooperate, especially with the UN project, Mr. Jean Todt as UN Special Envoy for Road Safety, who will participate in activities this November. Private sector involvement through workshops with the government will address encountered problems, needed government assistance, and potential areas for joint development,” the Prime Minister said.
Additionally, the Marine Department was ordered to inspect all 15,000 passenger boats nationwide and 108 restaurant boats, checking energy systems related to cooking, gas tanks, and natural gas energy for safety.
Regarding the investigation into the bus fire, preliminary findings from the Department of Land Transport indicate that the cause was a broken axle due to excess weight from additional gas tanks. The vehicle involved should not have had more than 6 tanks, but 5 extra tanks were illegally installed.
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