Authorities in Chiang Rai are trying to track down the passengers of a tour bus after three tested positive for the Covid-19 coronavirus . The bus was travelling from Bangkok to the Chiang Saen district of Chiang Rai in northern Thailand. The three, all from the same family, are being treated in hospital. A spokesman for Chiang Rai’s health department has announced all fellow bus passengers now need to be screened.

Chiang Rai’s deputy governor and the the provincial health department chief told Thai media on yesterday that they are asking passengers on Sombat Tour Company’s bus No 16-3473 , which left Bangkok for Chiang Saen on Saturday at 7.15pm, to report to the provincial health department for screening.

Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and senior health officials yesterday accepted the delivery of Chinese medical supplies at the Public Health Department, from Yang Zen, the Chinese Ambassador to Thailand.

The supplies include 100,000 hygienic facemasks, 10,000 N95 facemasks, 2,000 protective gowns and 332 Covid-19 test kits.

The health minister said that Yang expressed China’s appreciation for the help that the Thai government offered to China many years ago during the SARS epidemic saying the Chinese government wants to reciprocate and help the Thai people at this time.

Yang reportedly said that “the best weapon to fight the virus is friendship and mutual help.” Anutin thanked the Chinese government for its help at a time when Thailand is also facing a crisis.

China reported just 78 new cases of the deadly virus yesterday, the vast majority brought from overseas. Epidemiologists have expressed fears of a second wave of infections in China and urges Chinese authorities not to ‘get back to normal’ too soon. The first new case in nearly a week was reported in Wuhan yesterday.

SOURCE: Chiang Rai Times

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PHUKET: A loose tyre flying off a tour bus and bowling over a roadside noodle stand in northern Phuket on Tuesday has prompted officials to ramp up safety checks of tour buses as they come onto the island.

The bus, which was carrying both locals and tourists, was travelling from Phuket to Surat Thani on Tuesday when the tyre broke free and crashed into the noodle stand on Thepkrasattri Road in Mai Khao. No one was injured in the accident.

The bus driver, Prakob Khongpakdee, was charged with careless driving causing property damage, while the bus company, the government’s Transport Co Ltd ( BorKorSor ) was fined 5,000 baht for using a bus in unsafe condition.

“The bus was taken to the Phuket Land Transport Office [PLTO] in Phuket Town for a safety check after the accident, and was discharged once it was approved by officers there,” confirmed Jaturong Kaewkasi, the chief policy adviser at the PLTO.

Mr Jaturong has since announced that the PLTO aims to set up a vehicle safety-inspection center at the Tah Chat Chai checkpoint to ensure that all vehicles coming onto the island are safe to operate.

“I have suggested the idea of setting up a vehicle check at Tah Chat Chai to the Phuket governor several times. However, it has not been approved yet because many officials are worried that it would affect tourism,” he said.

“The argument is that if a bus carrying tourists fails inspection, it would damage our reputation.

“But if we do not check, accidents resulting from unsafe buses will happen more often, and it will look as though PLTO does not care.”

All vehicles are required to undergo an annual safety inspection at the Land Tranport Offices where the vehicles are registered, Mr Jaturong explains.

“Even though the vehicles may be well checked for other provinces, how can we assure that they are ready to drive in Phuket?,” he asks.

“The road conditions in Phuket are not the same as in other provinces. Phuket is very hilly and the roads are dangerous.”

Mr Jaturong insisted that this problem needed to be addressed as soon as possible.

“The PLTO takes this issue very seriously. More than just the PLTO and governor need work on this issue, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, as well as tourism business operators should all come together to discuss solutions,” he said.

“If we work together, we can reach a swift conclusion.”

— Kongleaphy Keam

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PHUKET: A pollution-emitting tour bus was banned from service after a Facebook user posted a video showing clouds of thick, black smoke emanating from it, confirmed officials on Sunday.

Facebook user Joke Moodie, who posted the video, immediately alerted authorities to take action and shut the bus down.

Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) Chief Policy Adviser Jaturong Kaewkasi said that the exhaust emission test showed pollution levels at 99 per cent when measured this morning.

“We spray-painted a ‘Do Not Use’ sign on the windshield of the bus right away,” he said. “By law, black smoke emissions cannot exceed 45 per cent of the exhaust. The bus will remain grounded until it is repaired.”

Mr Jaturong has urged citizens to notify authorities of any such vehicles on social media by posting number plates, as well as pictures and/or videos stating the time and date, or calling the PLTO on 1584.

“Photos help us a lot as they can be used to to prevent people from making fake reports,” Mr Jaturong said.

A similar incident led to another bus with emission levels of 99.8 per cent being banned in March (story here ).

That bus was was back in business the next day after the owner paid a 1,000-baht fine and reduced the emission level to 12 per cent (story here ).

— Chutharat Plerin

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PHUKET: The driver of a tour bus in Phuket was injured after the front of his vehicle was ripped off in a head-on collision with a six-wheeler this afternoon.

Capt Ekkarat Chatpai of Wichit Police received the report at about 2:30pm and arrived at the rain-drenched Muang Thong junction with Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers.

The bus was being driven by Saman Pansee, 62, from Phuket Town to Ao Makham, while the truck was on its way to Phuket Town.

“Rescue workers used Jaws-of-Life to pull Mr Saman out from the wreckage as his legs were stuck under the console inside the bus. He was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital,” Capt Ekkarat told the Phuket Gazette .

The bus was heavily damaged from the front, while the truck, damaged on its rear end, careened to the side of the road. The truck driver sustained minor injuries.

“Cargo from the truck was spilled all over the road. Fortunately, the bus was not carrying any passengers at the time,” Capt Ekkarat said.

“Witnesses told us that heavy rain had made the road slippery and that they saw the truck crossing the lane into oncoming traffic and slamming into the bus,” he added.

No charges have been filed yet, but further investigations are underway.

Phuket rains, rather than drivers, have been blamed for many fatal collisions this past monsoon season (stories here , here and here ), with today’s unexpected downpour reportedly ‘causing’ this one as well.

— Winai Sarot

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