The Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) is accelerating its efforts to provide financial aid and other forms of support to the victims and families affected by the devastating school bus fire that occurred near Bangkok. The tragic accident has left a profound impact on the community, with 46 victims reported—39 students and seven teachers. Out of the students, 20 lost their lives, while others were severely injured or left traumatized. Obec, along with the Ministry of Education, has been taking swift action to ensure that the affected families receive both emotional and financial support.
The heartbreaking incident saw 39 students and seven teachers on board a school bus when the fire broke out. Among the 39 students, 20 tragically died, two were left seriously injured, one sustained minor injuries, and 16 were fortunate enough to escape unharmed. Of the seven teachers, three were killed, one was injured, and three survived unscathed.
Acting Sub Lieutenant Thanu Wongjinda, the secretary-general of Obec, provided an update on Saturday regarding the actions being taken in response to the tragedy. He emphasized that the Ministry of Education, under the leadership of Pol Gen Permpoon Chidchob, had been closely monitoring the progress of the relief efforts.
In an effort to recognize the contributions of the teachers who lost their lives in the accident, Obec has sent a formal letter to the Ministry of Education’s Permanent Secretary Office requesting royal decorations for the three deceased teachers. This request will be passed on to the Prime Minister’s Office for further action. Additionally, Obec is preparing a proposal to award a seven-step salary promotion for the deceased teachers. This proposal will also be submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office by Tuesday, ahead of a scheduled subcommittee meeting on Friday.
In the wake of the tragedy, local authorities and school officials are discussing ways to honor the memory of the victims. A plan has been proposed to construct a football field at Wat Khao Phraya Sangkharam School in Uthai Thani, the school where the victims studied and worked. The project is intended to serve as a lasting memorial to the students and teachers who lost their lives. At present, the football field project is still in the design and budget allocation phase, with local authorities and school officials working together to bring the idea to fruition.
This initiative is a reflection of the community’s desire to remember the victims in a meaningful way. The school’s faculty, parents, and students are eager to see the project completed, as it will stand as a testament to the lives lost in the tragic accident and serve as a symbol of resilience for the surviving students and teachers.
In addition to the emotional support and memorial efforts, the financial relief package for the victims and their families has been a primary focus for Obec. A total of 46 million baht has been allocated from various sources to compensate those affected. This significant amount has been gathered through contributions from several government agencies, insurance companies, and other organizations.
- 23.5 million baht from the Prime Minister’s Office’s relief fund
- 4.72 million baht from the Ministry of Justice
- 494,500 baht from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security
- 11.65 million baht from Mittare Insurance
- 500,000 baht from the Basic Education Fund
- 3.46 million baht from Viriyah Insurance’s accident insurance group
- 11.74 million baht from Viriyah Insurance
- The breakdown of compensation for the victims.
- 2.4 million baht to each of the deceased students’ families
- 2.32 million baht to each of the deceased teachers’ families
- 399,500 baht to each severely injured student
- 299,500 baht to each injured student
- 10,000 baht to each injured teacher
The government and insurance funds, Obec have facilitated a special donation drive, collecting an additional 3.71 million baht through a relief fund. This amount will also be distributed to those affected:
- 600,000 baht to each of the seriously injured students
- 300,000 baht to one injured student
- 100,000 baht to an injured teacher
- 90,000 baht to each of the 23 families of the deceased
These financial measures aim to ease the burdens faced by the victims’ families, though no amount of money can truly compensate for the tragic loss of life.
Following the tragedy, Obec and the Ministry of Education are taking proactive steps to ensure that such a devastating event never happens again. An official instruction has been issued to all affiliated agencies and educational institutions to strictly adhere to safety protocols when organizing student excursions or any other activities involving transportation. Schools and tour operators are now under heightened scrutiny to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
This new emphasis on safety includes comprehensive checks on the mechanical condition of school buses, the proper training and certification of bus drivers, and the enforcement of stringent safety measures during student trips. The Ministry of Education hopes that these efforts will prevent future accidents and restore confidence in the safety of school transportation services.
In the wake of the school bus fire, the incident has sparked political controversy, with activist Sonthiya Sawasdee calling for a formal investigation into the circumstances that led to the tragedy. Sawasdee has urged the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate the role of the Ministry of Transport, the Land Transport Department, the Sing Buri provincial transport office, and the operator of the hired bus in the incident.
Sawasdee’s call for an investigation centers around potential negligence by these parties, particularly regarding whether proper safety inspections were conducted on the school bus prior to its use. The bus operator’s licensing and maintenance records will also be scrutinized, as the fire was a preventable disaster that should not have occurred had proper safety protocols been in place.
This tragic event has raised broader concerns about the state of school transportation safety in Thailand, with many parents and educators questioning whether enough is being done to ensure the safety of students. The NACC’s involvement in investigating the accident could lead to increased accountability for government agencies and private operators alike.
