Sorrow and anger as families bid farewell to Thai school bus fire victims
The transport ministry recalled more than 13,000 gas-fuelled buses last week to conduct safety checks.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Monday the government had also established a committee to implement new safety measures to prevent road accidents.
Around 20,000 deaths are reported every year on Thailand’s roads, according to the World Health Organization, an average of more than 50 a day.
Speeding, drink driving and poor vehicle standards all contribute to the toll but weak enforcement of rules, exacerbated by rampant corruption in the police, also undermines efforts to improve safety.
FAMILIES’ ANGER
Bereaved family members at the funeral hit out at the bus company for not following public transport regulations and demanded the prohibition of gas-fuelled buses.
“The bus driver should also know everything about the bus so when accidents like this happen, he can know how to save the passengers,” Bantima said.
Wichan blamed the loss of his son’s life on the company’s failure to conduct proper checks on their vehicle.
He told AFP he and other families would file a class-action lawsuit against the bus company for negligence.
However, he said compensation would never be enough.
“No punishment or amount of money is more important than my son’s life.”
Source: CNA