Update: Drivers Charged in Fatal Surat Thani Bus Crash, Drive Blames Not Knowing the Route

Surat Thani –

Two drivers have been charged with reckless driving causing deaths after five elderly people died and 30 people were injured in a fatal Chai Ya bus crash.

Our previous story:

A devastating incident unfolded in Chai Ya on New Year’s Day when a tour bus driver lost control and crashed into a tree on the main No. 41 Road near the Pa Way Intersection, resulting in at least five fatalities.

The Chai Ya Police told the Phuket Express that the main driver, Mr. Suthep, 47, and Mr. Prakit 45, the backup driver, both have been charged with reckless driving causing death. Alcohol and drug tests were conducted on both of them which showed zero and negative. Neither were seriously injured in the accident.

The main driver, Mr. Suthep, admitted to police that he was not familiar with the route. He stated that he lost control of the bus when he arrived at a curve. Police found that before the accident, the bus was driving at 80 km/hr. Most of the passengers on the bus were senior citizens aged more than 60.