A welding spark ignited tragedy when a fire broke out and gutted a bus in Phangnga province, killing one passenger and injuring 12 others.
Driver Prathueng Sakkaew was taking 34 passengers on a double-deck coach operated by Trang Ruam Mitr Transport Co from Phuket to Satun province when he stopped at a welding shop in Takua Thung district. His seat was unstable, making driving difficult.
As a welder used a torch to repair the chair, fire broke out in the driver's compartment, filling the coach with smoke as flames spread.
The Takua Thung police station and rescue workers in Phangnga's Muang district responded.
Sasak Chandee, who was on duty at the police station, said the passengers were unable to escape as they were trapped inside by automatic doors. Rescue workers had to break the rear windows to free them, he added.
จากเหตุเพลิงไหม้รถทัวร์มีผู้เสียชีวิต 1 ราย บาดเจ็บจำนวนหนึ่ง เหตุเกิด ต.กระโสม อ.ตะกั่วทุ่ง พังงา cr.กู้ภัย pic.twitter.com/4PzLUZhfIb
— Nalinee Siriked (@Nalinee_PLE) October 7, 2015
The incident injured 13 passengers who were sent to Phangnga Hospital.
Pol Lt Sasak said one passenger died on the way. She was identified as Daeng Paharat, a native of Satun.
Three passengers were seriously injured and are being treated in the intensive-care unit, he added.