Crime
Three Chinese Tourists Killed in Phuket Bus Crash
The Bus Driver Kajornwit Srisongkram, said the brakes failed as he was descending the steep hill
PHUKET – Three Chinese tourists have been killed and 15 others injured after their tour bus tumbled off the road and rolled down a hill on the Island of Phuket.
Rescue worker gives first aid to one of the Chinese tourists who escaped serious injury in the crash. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong
The bus was carrying 18 Chinese tourists from a hotel in the southern Thai tourist island of Phuket to a pier designated for the party island of Pha Nga, Police Lieutenant Chollada Chokdeesrijun, the officer in charge of the case, told Reporters.
The driver lost control at on a curve, Chollada said, adding that no other vehicles were involved in the accident.
“This bus is very old, almost 20 years. I couldn’t control it. We crossed into the oncoming lanes before falling off the hill on the other side of the road.
“I have been a driver for 10 years, and have never had an accident like this. I am very sad about what happened.”
Police Lieutenant Chollada Chokdeesrijun, said survivors are being treated at hospitals in Phuket, the bus driver, who sustained minor injuries, is being held at a local police station.
Chinese tourists are the biggest visitors to Thailand. More than 560,000 arrived in January, accounting for over 20 percent of tourist arrivals, according to Thailand’s tourism ministry.
Thailand has one of the highest road accident death rates in the world, according to the country’s public health ministry, with reckless and drunk driving among the top reasons for road accidents.
