Around 18 Passengers Were Hurt As Faulty Electric Bus Slams into 3 Cars on Bangkok’s Rama II Road

Around 18 Passengers Were Hurt As Faulty Electric Bus Slams into 3 Cars on Bangkok’s Rama II Road

The recent series of accidents on Rama II Road has sparked concerns about the safety measures in place. In one such incident, a No 558 electric bus driver, Boonmee Janthaphan, discovered a brake malfunction, resulting in a vehicular accident shortly after passing Soi 4 of Rama II Road. Despite Janthaphan’s efforts to maintain control and stay on course, the bus collided with other vehicles at the Bang Pra Kaew intersection.

Officers from the Bang Mod Police Station and rescue staff were promptly dispatched to the scene to assist the victims and clear the wreckage. The accident caused severe traffic congestion stretching several kilometres as some cars were critically damaged to the point where it was necessary to extract the victims.

Victims of the accident were rushed to four nearby hospitals for treatment. At the time of the report, there were no reported fatalities.

The Notorious Rama II Road

Rama II Road, extending from Bangkok’s Chom Thong district to Ratchaburi province in the southwest of Thailand, is notorious for being an accident-prone area. Accidents are commonly caused either by motorists or road construction. This incident underscores the need for heightened safety measures on this busy road to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Construction Accidents: A New Threat

Adding to the concerns of road safety, are the frequent construction accidents on Rama II Road. In a recent occurrence, a crane being used to construct an elevated expressway tilted and fell, totally blocking the outbound lane. The accident resulted in one worker’s death and injured another, also causing damage to four passing vehicles. The accident led to significant traffic tailback on the road.

In response to this incident, the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) governor called for a suspension of the construction for seven days to allow for a comprehensive investigation. The project contractor, CBT Consortium, will be responsible for compensating the deceased and injured workers, as well as the owners of the damaged vehicles.

Further Measures for Safety

The frequency of the accidents has raised serious questions about the safety measures in place. The Highways Department has ordered an investigation into these accidents and has emphasised the need for safety. In a statement, the department expressed its apologies for the safety issues on Rama II Road and reiterated its commitment to enhancing safety measures at the construction site to prevent such incidents from recurring.

Unfortunate Losses and Rising Concerns

Apart from the vehicular and construction accidents, other fatal incidents have also occurred on Rama II Road. In one tragic incident, a 22-year-old woman was hit by a car while attempting to cross the road. The driver, a Chinese businessperson, reported that despite trying to dodge and brake, he was unable to avoid the fatal accident. The woman’s husband confirmed that she was a casual labourer working in a salt field located across the road from where they lived. The reason for her deciding to cross the road on that day remains unclear.

These accidents, along with the surge in road accidents during the long holiday period, have raised concerns about road safety in the country. Authorities are calling for increased caution and are urging for improved safety measures on Rama II Road to prevent future accidents.