Tour Bus Crash in Bangkok Injures Over Ten People, Mostly Indian Foreign Exchange Students, Brake Failure Blamed

Bangkok, June 2nd, 2025 – A tour bus carrying Indian exchange students crashed into an electricity pole on Phahonyothin Road outbound, near the Air Force Academy intersection, at approximately 11:00 AM today, injuring over ten people, including a tour guide who was trapped in the wreckage.

Police Lieutenant Thanongsak Duangphu, deputy investigator at Sai Mai Police Station, responded to the accident, coordinating with the Ruamkatanyu Foundation rescue team, firefighters, and ambulances. The bus, operated by A.T.S. Travel Group, collided head-on with the pole, causing major damage. A nearby Toyota Soluna sedan was also rear-ended and damaged.

The bus driver, Mr. Nikhom Kochari, 46, stated to Thai media that he was transporting 45 Indian exchange students from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) at Thammasat University’s Rangsit campus. About 200 meters before an intersection, he attempted to brake but the vehicle failed to stop. To avoid hitting cars stopped at a red light, he swerved left, resulting in the collision with the pole.

Mr. Pramuan Chansiri, 63, the driver of the sedan, stated to the press that he noticed the bus swerving erratically from the Saphan Mai area while he was stopped at the traffic light in the leftmost lane. Despite attempting to veer right, his car was struck from behind. He credited his safety to a Luang Pu Thuad amulet he wore, believing it prevented a more severe accident.

Emergency responders rushed the injured students to nearby hospitals, while efforts were made to free the trapped tour guide. Authorities temporarily closed the leftmost lane of Phahonyothin Road outbound, leaving two lanes open, and coordinated with the Metropolitan Electricity Authority and a tow service to remove the bus and minimize traffic disruption.

Police are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash and will proceed with legal action as necessary.