The tragic bus fire that claimed the lives of 20 students and three teachers on Tuesday, leaving several others injured, has ignited a heated debate over the safety of school field trips. While some call for a complete ban on educational excursions, others argue that field trips remain an integral part of the learning process, provided public bus safety is ensured. The accident has prompted Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob to temporarily suspend school trips, mandating stricter safety measures and case-by-case inspections for future trips.
The fatal accident took place in Pathum Thani province when a bus carrying 39 students and six teachers from Wat Khao Praya Sangkharam school, located in Uthai Thani, caught fire. The group, comprising students from Kindergarten 2 to Mathayom 3, was on a day-long educational trip to various historical and educational sites, including Ayutthaya History Park and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand office in Nonthaburi.
The ill-fated bus was part of a three-bus convoy operated by Sing Buri-based Chinnaboot Tour. It caught fire while traveling on the inbound lane of Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, near the Zeer Rangsit shopping center. The fire spread rapidly, and according to survivors, passengers had less than a minute to escape. The cause of the fire has been attributed to a gas leak from the bus’s compressed natural gas (CNG) tanks, although the exact trigger of the ignition is still under investigation.
The bus driver, Samarn Chanphut, fled the scene but later surrendered to the police. His license was suspended, and he faces permanent revocation if found responsible for the accident. Forensic police investigations revealed that six of the 11 CNG tanks installed on the bus were unregistered, and a loose fuel line was identified as the source of the gas leak. While no evidence was found of a gas tank explosion, the fire spread swiftly, leading to questions about the safety mechanisms in place.
In response, the Department of Land Transport has ordered an inspection of all 13,426 CNG-powered vehicles in Thailand within 60 days, aiming to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob reacted swiftly to the tragedy by suspending all student field trips nationwide. He stressed that future trips would require stricter oversight, including bus inspections by provincial land transport offices. The minister also emphasized that the safety protocols would be tailored to the age of the students. Younger students may need parental accompaniment, and long-distance, inter-provincial trips could be curtailed to minimize risks.
However, Pol Gen Permpoon defended the value of educational trips, arguing that they play a crucial role in students’ learning and should not be banned entirely. Instead, he proposed that the government conduct road accident response drills to educate passengers on how to escape and survive in case of an emergency.
The tragedy has sparked a public debate on whether school trips are worth the risk. Some parents and education experts believe that banning trips would be an overreaction. Kanyawan Samranpanich, a mother of two students, voiced her opposition to the ban, stating that educational trips provide students with opportunities to explore new environments, engage in hands-on learning, and experience something beyond the classroom. “The trips are not the problem; it’s about enforcing safety measures,” she said, advocating for stricter bus inspections and safety compliance.
Adisak Plitponkarnpim, director of the National Institute for Child and Family Development at Mahidol University, echoed this sentiment. He argued that banning educational trips would not solve the core issue, which lies in lax enforcement of safety regulations. According to Adisak, ensuring bus safety, training drivers to handle emergencies, and increasing public awareness about road safety are more effective long-term solutions. He also recommended revising the process for granting public bus driving licenses, making it more stringent and safety-focused.
The tragic accident has also drawn attention to the broader issue of road safety in Thailand. The country is known for its high rate of road accidents, many of which are attributed to poorly maintained vehicles and reckless driving. Experts like Thanapong Jinvong, director of the Road Safety Group of Thailand, pointed out that Thailand lacks a central agency dedicated to road safety research and enforcement, much like Malaysia’s Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS).
Thanapong highlighted that a survivor reported how quickly the fire spread, raising questions about the faulty gas system and the bus’s emergency exit mechanisms. He stressed the importance of an independent, centralized body to investigate such incidents, formulate strategies, and recommend safety improvements systematically.
Suchatvee Suwansawat, former president of the Engineering Institute of Thailand, also recognized the need for stronger public safety laws. He has proposed a public safety bill that would establish a committee to oversee road safety and accident prevention measures. This committee, consisting of experts and representatives from various sectors, would work with police and rescue workers during emergencies and ensure that incidents like this bus fire are properly investigated to prevent future tragedies.
One of the major questions emerging from the tragedy is whether school trips, particularly those involving long-distance travel, are still necessary. Thanapong Jinvong suggested that short-distance trips within local provinces might be a safer option, especially for younger students. Meanwhile, Kanyawan Samranpanich advocated for limiting trips to shorter distances and ensuring that buses meet stringent safety standards.
Road accident drills for students and teachers were also recommended as a way to prepare for emergencies. Many parents and educators believe that field trips provide invaluable learning experiences that can’t be replicated in a classroom setting. By visiting historical sites, museums, and other places of interest, students can see and interact with the subjects they learn about, making the information more engaging and memorable.
Improving public bus safety remains at the heart of the debate. According to Adisak Plitponkarnpim, the enforcement of existing regulations is a significant issue. He called for a review of locally-made double-decker buses, which are widely used for tourism but pose serious safety risks in emergencies. In fact, several experts have called for a complete ban on these buses due to their structural limitations, which make it difficult for passengers to evacuate quickly in case of an accident.
Noppadon Pattama, a Pheu Thai Party MP, has also advocated for stricter enforcement of speed limits on public buses. He called on the government to mandate the installation of speed-limiting technology to prevent accidents caused by speeding. Furthermore, Noppadon recommended a phase-out of double-decker buses, noting that they are particularly unsafe due to their height and design.
While immediate measures such as inspections and improved training for bus drivers are essential, experts argue that long-term solutions require addressing systemic gaps in road safety enforcement. Thanapong Jinvong and other advocates have pushed for a comprehensive review of road safety policies, including the establishment of an independent agency responsible for researching and promoting road safety measures.
Such an agency could also gather data on accidents, investigate causes, and recommend policy changes based on evidence. Without a central body to oversee road safety, incidents like the Pathum Thani bus fire could continue to occur, with no systematic changes being implemented to prevent them.
The bus fire tragedy has thrown the spotlight on the need for a delicate balance between educational enrichment and student safety. While some call for a ban on educational trips, others argue that these experiences are essential to a well-rounded education. What remains clear is the urgent need to address public bus safety in Thailand, through better regulation, stricter enforcement, and improved public awareness.
As authorities continue to investigate the causes of the fire and its rapid spread, policymakers must take this opportunity to implement stronger safety measures. Whether by revising bus safety laws, improving driver training, or establishing a central road safety agency, the goal must be to prevent future tragedies while ensuring students can continue to benefit from educational trips.
