School bus fire in Thailand kills 25, driver arrested

A school bus carrying elementary and junior high school students and their teachers caught fire in Pathum Thani, resulting in the tragic loss of 25 lives.

According to a spokesperson from the authorities, the bus was one of three rented by Wat Khao Phaya Sangkharam School in Uthai Thani to take students and teachers on a field trip to Ayutthaya.

The spokesperson reported that the bodies of 22 students and three teachers were found after the fire was extinguished, while 19 other individuals on the bus survived.

Major General Sipakhom Iamwong, Deputy Commissioner of the Region 1 Police Bureau, confirmed that the bus was carrying 38 students and six teachers.

He noted that retrieving the bodies was particularly challenging due to the extensive damage caused by the fire.

Meanwhile, CNN reported that Thai police managed to apprehend the driver of the bus. The driver, identified as Saman Chanput, surrendered on Tuesday, just hours after the incident.

Chayanont Meesati, deputy head of the provincial police, stated that the bus suddenly lost balance on its right front tyre, causing it to swerve, collide with a car in front, and scrape against a concrete barrier.

It was believed that sparks from the collision ignited the fire which engulfed the bus. The driver claimed he attempted to extinguish the flames using a fire extinguisher taken from another bus but was unsuccessful and subsequently fled in panic.

Thai police reported that Chanput is being held on charges of reckless driving resulting in death and injury, failing to stop to assist others, and failing to report the accident.

Authorities are also investigating whether the bus company adhered to all safety standards.