Tour Bus Bursts Into Flames In Pattaya

At the scene officers discovered a white and yellow 6 wheel Mercedes bus on fire at the rear, specifically from the engine compartment. The bus belonged to the Bangkok company Patchara Tours Limited. Authorities managed to extinguish the fire in less than 10 minutes. Fortunately, all 20 of the Chinese tourists escaped the fire unharmed, although they were a little flustered and frightened.

Police interrogated the driver of the bus Mr. Suraporn Faksomboon [40], he declared that he had picked the tour group up from an unknown hotel in Jomtien before he set off on the drive to Bangkok. Around the 145km mark on the road he had noticed smoke coming from the rear of the bus, so decided to stop and check out the situation. Upon realizing that the engine compartment was on fire he ordered all passengers off the bus and contacted authorities.

Police believe that the fire may have been started due to faulty or exposed wiring around the battery terminal. A report has been filed and the bus has been towed away, no charges have been laid against the driver or the bus company.