Heavy Rain and Slippery Roads Cause Bus to Overturn on Pattaya-Rayong Bypass
PATTAYA, Thailand – On February 18, Pattaya Rescue Center received a report of a bus overturning on the Pattaya-Rayong Bypass Road (Highway 36) in Nong Plalai, Banglamung District, Chonburi. The incident involved a Rung Reuang Company bus traveling between Bangkok and Pattaya. Due to heavy rain and slippery road conditions, the bus lost control, swerved to avoid a car, crashed into the guardrail, and flipped over, blocking the road.
Emergency responders arrived to find the bus on its side, with over 40 passengers, including the driver and crew, trapped inside. Rescue teams used hydraulic tools to cut open the doors and smash the windows, rescuing the injured passengers despite the torrential rain. Fortunately, none of the injuries were life-threatening, and all passengers were transferred to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
The bus driver reported that a car attempted to make a U-turn in front of the bus, forcing him to swerve. The wet road conditions, with standing water, caused him to lose control, leading to the crash.
Local police are currently investigating the cause of the accident, reviewing surveillance footage, and collecting evidence at the scene. The crash caused significant traffic delays, with only two lanes open, resulting in a 3-kilometer traffic jam.
