reader Posted October 4 Posted October 4 From Khaosod English Transport officials in Nakhon Ratchasima province found buses that did not go for inspection in Lopburi province. The gas tanks, which are a point of suspicion in the Shinbutra Company bus fire incident, had been removed at an auto shop in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Officials at the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Transport Office, later were notified to investigate and found that there was an attempt to remove the CNG gas tanks from the buses, presumably to evade inspection. The officials then informed the police, who have seized all five tour buses for further investigation. Earlier, MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn of the People’s Party criticized the Department of Land Transport during a parliamentary session in which a motion to investigate and propose improved preventive measures after the tragic bus fire was discussed. He pointed out that the department is often accused by the public of being a “twilight zone” where substantial benefits are extorted. Some claim that the inspections merely rubber-stamp signatures without proper scrutiny. “The bus in question had CNG gas tanks. How could the bus catch fire just because it grazed a curb? How could it pass the inspection? This raises the question of whether the inspections are genuine or just signatures being sold. It’s like we have ticking time bombs on our roads every day,” he said. Continues at https://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2024/10/03/fatal-bus-fire-probe-exposes-thai-officials-and-company-fraud-claims/ Quote
Keithambrose Posted October 4 Posted October 4 3 hours ago, reader said: From Khaosod English Transport officials in Nakhon Ratchasima province found buses that did not go for inspection in Lopburi province. The gas tanks, which are a point of suspicion in the Shinbutra Company bus fire incident, had been removed at an auto shop in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Officials at the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Transport Office, later were notified to investigate and found that there was an attempt to remove the CNG gas tanks from the buses, presumably to evade inspection. The officials then informed the police, who have seized all five tour buses for further investigation. Earlier, MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn of the People’s Party criticized the Department of Land Transport during a parliamentary session in which a motion to investigate and propose improved preventive measures after the tragic bus fire was discussed. He pointed out that the department is often accused by the public of being a “twilight zone” where substantial benefits are extorted. Some claim that the inspections merely rubber-stamp signatures without proper scrutiny. “The bus in question had CNG gas tanks. How could the bus catch fire just because it grazed a curb? How could it pass the inspection? This raises the question of whether the inspections are genuine or just signatures being sold. It’s like we have ticking time bombs on our roads every day,” he said. Continues at https://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2024/10/03/fatal-bus-fire-probe-exposes-thai-officials-and-company-fraud-claims/ No surprise there, unfortunately. Perhaps this tragedy will lead to a tightening up. I hope so, but I am pessimistic. Quote
reader Posted October 8 Author Posted October 8 From AP Small town in Thailand hold mass cremation LAN SAK, Thailand (AP) — Mourners wept and monks prayed at a cremation ceremony Tuesday in a small town in central Thailand for 23 young students and teachers who died in last week’s bus fire on a school field trip. A large cremation site was set up close to the temple in Lan Sak town whose compound hosts the school that was attended by the victims. Several furnaces with tall chimneys were erected, with floral adornments placed in front of them. Six teachers and 39 elementary and junior high school students were on the bus when it caught fire on Oct. 1 on a highway in Pathum Thani, a northern suburb of Bangkok. It spread so quickly that only 22 people were able to escape. After forensic work in Bangkok made positive identifications of the badly burnt bodies, the victims’ remains were were returned to their hometown for funeral rites that began last week. https://apnews.com/article/thailand-bus-fire-cremation-d549dd09b10e525b434f4dc3d4840d91 Ruthrieston and vinapu 2 Quote
reader Posted October 9 Author Posted October 9 From Thai News Agency Order Safety Checks for 13,000 Gas-Powered Buses Thailand’s Prime Minister has ordered a comprehensive safety inspection of all 13,000 gas-powered buses operating in the country within the next 60 days. Until the checks are completed, these buses will be taken off the road. The government is also reviewing existing laws related to public transportation to ensure stricter safety standards. Government spokesman Jirayu Huangsap announced the decision following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, saying that the Prime Minister had expressed deep concern over road safety, particularly regarding vehicles powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). “All 13,000 gas-powered buses must undergo rigorous safety checks within the next 60 days,” Jirayu said. “No bus will be allowed to operate until it has passed inspection.” The Department of Land Transport has issued a directive outlining the inspection procedures, which include checks on gas tanks, engine components, and emergency equipment. Buses that fail to meet the safety standards will be suspended from operation until necessary repairs are made. In addition to the bus inspections, the Department of Marine has been tasked with conducting safety checks on approximately 15,000 passenger boats and 108 river-cruise vessels. These inspections will focus on the safety of cooking gas installations and the overall condition of the natural gas vessels. The Ministry of Education has been requested to advise schools to avoid using gas-powered buses for field trips until the inspections are complete. Schools requiring transportation are advised to hire charter buses or non-public buses and to ensure that these vehicles undergo thorough safety checks. https://tna.mcot.net/english-news/line-today-english-news-1431494 Quote
Keithambrose Posted October 9 Posted October 9 3 hours ago, reader said: From Thai News Agency Order Safety Checks for 13,000 Gas-Powered Buses Thailand’s Prime Minister has ordered a comprehensive safety inspection of all 13,000 gas-powered buses operating in the country within the next 60 days. Until the checks are completed, these buses will be taken off the road. The government is also reviewing existing laws related to public transportation to ensure stricter safety standards. Government spokesman Jirayu Huangsap announced the decision following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, saying that the Prime Minister had expressed deep concern over road safety, particularly regarding vehicles powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). “All 13,000 gas-powered buses must undergo rigorous safety checks within the next 60 days,” Jirayu said. “No bus will be allowed to operate until it has passed inspection.” The Department of Land Transport has issued a directive outlining the inspection procedures, which include checks on gas tanks, engine components, and emergency equipment. Buses that fail to meet the safety standards will be suspended from operation until necessary repairs are made. In addition to the bus inspections, the Department of Marine has been tasked with conducting safety checks on approximately 15,000 passenger boats and 108 river-cruise vessels. These inspections will focus on the safety of cooking gas installations and the overall condition of the natural gas vessels. The Ministry of Education has been requested to advise schools to avoid using gas-powered buses for field trips until the inspections are complete. Schools requiring transportation are advised to hire charter buses or non-public buses and to ensure that these vehicles undergo thorough safety checks. https://tna.mcot.net/english-news/line-today-english-news-1431494 Better late than never, if it actually happens! vinapu 1 Quote
reader Posted October 18 Author Posted October 18 From Bangkok Post 5% of CNG-powered buses defective The Department of Land Transport says that 68 of the 1,331 CNG-fuelled buses it has inspected this month were below standards and have been temporarily banned from the roads. The defects were detected in inspections carried out since Oct 4 in response to the tour bus fire that killed 20 students and three teachers in Pathum Thani on Oct 1. The bus in question was 54 years old and its conversion to compressed natural gas failed to comply with the regulations. The number of defective buses accounted for 5% of the vehicles examined so far, the department said on Thursday. Common problems found were expired gas cylinders and equipment, it added. The department said 12 buses taken off the roads were later cleared for use again after their operators repaired the problems. The operators of all the buses were given 15 days to fix them and return for another check. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2885551/5-of-cng-powered-buses-defective Quote
KeepItReal Posted October 18 Posted October 18 54 minutes ago, reader said: From Bangkok Post 5% of CNG-powered buses defective The Department of Land Transport says that 68 of the 1,331 CNG-fuelled buses it has inspected this month were below standards and have been temporarily banned from the roads. The defects were detected in inspections carried out since Oct 4 in response to the tour bus fire that killed 20 students and three teachers in Pathum Thani on Oct 1. The bus in question was 54 years old and its conversion to compressed natural gas failed to comply with the regulations. The number of defective buses accounted for 5% of the vehicles examined so far, the department said on Thursday. Common problems found were expired gas cylinders and equipment, it added. The department said 12 buses taken off the roads were later cleared for use again after their operators repaired the problems. The operators of all the buses were given 15 days to fix them and return for another check. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2885551/5-of-cng-powered-buses-defective It seems like more stringent and more frequent inspections may be needed, especially on older vehicles. Also, I am curious...do insurance on natural gas vehicles compare well with traditional diesel/petrol... Quote
Keithambrose Posted October 18 Posted October 18 2 hours ago, KeepItReal said: It seems like more stringent and more frequent inspections may be needed, especially on older vehicles. Also, I am curious...do insurance on natural gas vehicles compare well with traditional diesel/petrol... 54 years old! God... KeepItReal 1 Quote
Keithambrose Posted October 18 Posted October 18 4 hours ago, Keithambrose said: 54 years old! God... I think any inspections at all would help. Quote
