Five Thai tourists escaped unharmed when their van burst into flames while returning home from Pattaya beach in Chon Buri on Sunday.
Jakkarin Yangsiri, 31, the driver of the van, told police he and four friends from Nonthaburi had driven to Pattaya beach for a holiday.
On the way home, the van suddenly stopped on Sai 7 Road near the Nong Phreu elevated bridge. Mr Jakkarin got out to see what was wrong and spotted flames shooting out of the engine bay.
He shouted to his friends to jump clear of the van. Shortly after, the vehicle exploded in flames.
The Sawangboriboon Rescue Foundation’s radio centre was alerted and three fire trucks rushed to the scene to find the Toyota van engulfed in flames. Fire fighters took about 20 minutes to extinguish the blaze.
The van was badly damaged.
Before going to Pattaya, Mr Jakkarin said he had his van checked. He said it was lucky the four friends were able to safely escape the burning van.