Regional News
Thirty Taiwanese Tourists Flee in Panic from Burning Bus in Central Bangkok
BANGKOK – Thirty Taiwanese Tourists fled in panic from a burning bus that caught fire at an expressway entrance in Phra Khanong district of Bangkok on Saturday afternoon.
The bus, belonging to YSK Transport Co, caught fire at around 1pm shortly after entering the inbound Chalerm Mahanakhon expressway in Bang Na, about 200 metres from the Sukhumvit 62 toll gate, at around 12.45pm, Thai media reported.
Fire trucks were deployed to the scene to combat the flames which spread quickly throughout the bus.
According to the Thairath Online, the bus driver Mr. Peerapong Rompakdi, 43, said he had picked up the Taiwanese group from a hotel in Samut Prakan to take them shopping at the Chatuchak Weekend Market when some passengers complained about a burning smell.
Mr. Peerapong then parked the bus along the roadside, about 200 metres from the Sukhumvit 62 tollgate, and saw flames engulfing the luggage compartment.
He immediately shouted to ask a tour guide to tell tourists to leave the bus.
Many of the tourists burst into tears as they watched their belongings burned in the fire.
Police are investigating the cause of the fire.
Source: Thairath Online, Bangkok Post