TRANG — 14 February 2026, A double-decker Phuket–Betong bus overturned in Huai Yot district in the early hours of Saturday, leaving dozens injured and the driver with a severed leg.

The crash occurred at approximately 02:00 on Phetkasem Road opposite Samakkhi Sueksa School in Na Wong subdistrict.

Police from Huai Yot Police Station, along with rescue teams and emergency responders from multiple districts, rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a passenger bus losing control and overturning at the roadside.

The first-class air-conditioned bus, operating on the Phuket–Betong route, was found lying on its right side in a roadside ditch. The front of the vehicle was heavily damaged. Authorities broke the rear glass to evacuate trapped passengers.

There were 52 people on board — 49 passengers, one driver and two attendants. A total of 30 people were reported injured, including more than 10 seriously. The injured were transported to Huai Yot Hospital and Wang Wiset Hospital.

The driver, identified as 52-year-old Sirichai Tang-sengki, suffered the most severe injuries, including the loss of his left leg and a head wound. He remained conscious and able to respond while being transported to hospital.

One passenger sustained a severe ankle fracture with bone exposure, while many others suffered cuts from broken glass and other injuries.

Officials said the bus departed Phuket at 22:00 on 14 February and was scheduled to arrive in Betong district, Yala province, at 11:30 on 15 February.

Initial reports indicate the bus lost control, slid approximately 80 m along the roadside and struck a parked truck before overturning.

The driver told rescuers that a motorcycle cut closely in front of the bus, forcing him to swerve. However, a patrol officer who was nearby at the time disputed that claim, saying no motorcycle was seen and suggesting the driver may have fallen asleep.

Some passengers also speculated that the driver may have dozed off, though others said he had not been speeding prior to the crash.

The bus company dispatched a replacement vehicle to transport remaining passengers to their destination.

Police said further questioning of the driver, staff and passengers will be conducted once the driver’s condition stabilises to determine the exact cause of the accident.

NAKHON RATCHASIMA — 13 February 2026, more than 3000 rai (4.8 sq km) of forest at the Sakaerat Environmental Research Station in Wang Nam Khiao district have been scorched by a fast-moving wildfire, with officials racing to contain the blaze along firebreak lines.

The fire broke out at approximately 20:40 on 12 February in the Ban Wang Nam Khiao area, within the research station’s grounds in Udom Sap subdistrict, Wang Nam Khiao district. Flames spread rapidly towards Ban Ba Dan village, prompting station officials to coordinate with firefighters and water trucks from the Udom Sap Subdistrict Administrative Organisation and other agencies.

Dry, hot weather conditions, combined with an accumulation of fallen leaves and branches, fuelled the rapid spread of the fire.

Local leaders, including the Udom Sap kamnan, village headmen and assistants, monitored the situation and reported developments to the Wang Nam Khiao district chief.

Although firebreaks had already been established across the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve — which covers parts of the Khao Phaeng Ma National Reserved Forest in Wang Nam Khiao and Pak Thong Chai districts — the blaze, which began in a eucalyptus plantation adjacent to the reserve, intensified and spread quickly.

Mr. Surachit Waengsothorn, director of the research station, said the affected area is primarily dry dipterocarp forest, which is naturally fire-resistant and typically experiences seasonal fires during the dry period.

“The dry dipterocarp forest under the station’s supervision covers about 6,400 rai across Wang Nam Khiao and Pak Thong Chai districts. Around 80% has now been burned. However, there has been no significant damage to the trees, as most species have fire-resistant trunks,” he said.

He explained that seasonal fires are part of the ecosystem. Preventing fires for several consecutive years could alter the forest into dry evergreen forest, which would threaten wildlife such as hares, partridges and quails that depend on the current habitat.

Fire engines are unable to access deep forest areas, so officials are spraying water along 3 m-wide firebreaks to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby communities surrounding the station.

Controlled burns had previously been conducted to reduce fuel loads. However, wildfires in the dry dipterocarp forest occur annually, typically affecting up to 80% — or roughly 4,000 rai — of the total 6,400 rai.

Authorities are continuing close surveillance along boundary areas and coordinating with Udom Sap, San Chao Pho and Phu Luang subdistrict administrative organisations. Fire engines will be deployed to high-risk areas as needed.

At present, the fire remains active but is less intense, with officials maintaining containment efforts at multiple points.