LAMPHUN — More than 20 passengers were left shaken but narrowly escaped serious injury early Wednesday morning when a long-distance tour bus slammed into the back of a six-wheel truck carrying fertilizer.
The collision, which occurred on the Chiang Mai-Lampang Road, sent the truck flipping onto its side and scattered bags of fertilizer across the highway. The accident took place at approximately 6:45 a.m. on April 22, 2026, in the Sri Bua Ban sub-district of Mueang Lamphun.
According to local reports from Manager Online, the bus was traveling on the Kanchanaburi-Chiang Mai route when it struck the rear of a white Hino truck. While the impact caused significant damage to both vehicles, officials confirmed that no fatalities were reported at the scene.
Upon receiving a distress call through the 191 emergency center, officers from the Sri Bua Ban Police Station and rescue teams rushed to the site opposite the SCG company building.
Rescuers found the six-wheel truck, registered in Chiang Mai, overturned in the middle of the road. The driver of the truck sustained injuries during the rollover and was immediately transported to Prince Hospital Lamphun for medical treatment.
On the tour bus, the scene was described as chaotic. Witnesses reported hearing the screams of approximately 20 passengers as the bus hit the truck. Despite the heavy impact, most passengers suffered only minor bumps and bruises.
Emergency workers provided on-site first aid to those in shock or nursing light injuries.
Traffic Disruption and Cleanup
The collision caused significant traffic delays on one of the region’s busiest arteries. The force of the crash caused the truck’s cargo—dozens of bags of fertilizer—to burst and spill across the pavement.
- Vehicle 1: A white Hino 6-wheel truck (Chiang Mai plates), carrying fertilizer.
- Vehicle 2: A Kanchanaburi-Chiang Mai interprovincial tour bus.
- Location: Opposite SCG, Chiang Mai-Lampang Road, Sri Bua Ban.
- Cleanup Status: Road crews were deployed to clear the debris and upright the truck to restore normal traffic flow.
Local police have begun a formal investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. Initial observations suggest the bus may have failed to brake in time or lost control before hitting the rear of the slower-moving truck.
“We will be questioning both drivers and reviewing any available dashcam footage,” a spokesperson for the Sri Bua Ban Police stated. “Our priority was ensuring the safety of the passengers and clearing the roadway, but we will move forward with legal proceedings once the facts are established.”
Passengers from the tour bus were eventually transferred to a secondary vehicle to complete their journey to Chiang Mai. The bus operator has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident.
Road Safety Reminders
This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding long-haul bus safety in Thailand. Authorities continue to urge drivers of heavy vehicles and public transport to:
- Maintain a safe following distance.
- Adhere strictly to speed limits, especially during early morning hours when visibility may be lower.
- Ensure drivers are well-rested to avoid fatigue-related lapses in judgment.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the injured truck driver remained in stable condition, and the highway had been cleared of all fertilizer spills and wreckage.
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