Catholic schools mourn losses in tragic bus fire in Thailand

By Chainarong Monthienvicienchai – Thailand, LiCAS News

“Some Catholic schools have canceled activities and trips planned for this month, while others have postponed them indefinitely,” said Fr. Paul Ekarat Homprathum from the Catholic Education Council of Thailand.

The bus, which was carrying six teachers and 39 primary and middle school students from Uthai Thani province, about 300 kilometers north of Bangkok, was traveling to Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi provinces on Tuesday for a school trip.

Assumption Thonburi School announces the cancellation of all off-campus activities for the month of October.

The fire broke out as the bus was traveling on a highway north of Bangkok and spread so quickly that many passengers were unable to escape.

The bus that caught fire killed 23 students and teachers in a Bangkok suburb. On October 2, families arrived in the capital to help identify the victims.

Initial reports indicated that some of the victims were trapped in the bus due to defective emergency doors. Rescuers later discovered the bodies of three teachers hugging their students in a final, desperate attempt to protect them from the flames.

“Such tragedies can happen,” said Fr. Ekarat, but he stressed the importance of schools supporting their students and staff through the grieving process.

“Administrators, particularly in Catholic schools, play a key role in helping staff and students cope with an event like this,” he said, noting that prayers, liturgical celebrations and ongoing emotional support are crucial.

The driver, identified by police as Saman Chanput, surrendered several hours after the fire on Tuesday evening.

Authorities have charged him with reckless driving causing death or injury, failure to render aid to others and failure to report the accident.

According to Chayanont Meesati, the region’s deputy police chief, the driver told investigators he was driving normally until the right front tire lost balance.

The bus then crashed into another vehicle and scraped a concrete barrier on the highway, creating sparks that ignited the fire.

Saman said he initially tried to put out the flames by grabbing a fire extinguisher from another bus traveling with the same group.

However, he was unable to contain the fire and fled the scene in panic, Chayanont told reporters. The police are also investigating whether the bus company complied with safety regulations.

Three students remain in hospital, two of them in serious condition.

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