LAMPANG - An interprovincial bus parked with its motor left running suddenly lurched forward as the driver returned to his seat, injuring four travellers waiting to board at the provincial bus terminal on Monday night.
Three people were slightly hurt and one man suffered a broken leg.
The accident occurred about 9pm, shortly before the bus, operated by the state-owned Transport Co, was due to depart for Bangkok.
Police were informed the bus suddenly lurched into the waiting area, running up against rows of benches and signs and then hit a pillar at the Lampang bus terminal. The injured were sent to Lampang Hospital.
The bus driver, Pongthep Kaeosonthi, 49, explained to police he had arrived with 17 passengers from Chiang Mai province and parked at the Lampang terminal to pick up nine more passengers.
He said he left the engine running and went to the office to record his arrival. That took about three minutes and then he returned to the bus. He opened the door to reboard and then the vehicle, which had an automatic power transmission, suddenly careered forward into the passenger waiting area.
Police made the driver undergo alcohol and drug tests, but results were negative. He was charged with reckless driving causing injuries and property damage.
Lampang mayor Kittiphum Namwong said he would have an engineer check the structure of the terminal, because the pillar the bus hit was cracked.