PUBLISHED: 4 Oct 2024 at 05: 35
The van fire tragedy, which claimed the lives of 20 kids and three teachers on Tuesday, was the result of a gas leak investigation by criminal police.
The Office of Police Forensic Science ( OPFS), led by Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiewphan, announced on Thursday that an initial investigation had revealed the gas leak had occurred at the front of the bus.
Yet, it has not yet been determined what caused the flames that ignited the lights, nor why the oil was leaking, he said.
More information will be provided by experts with a focus on vehicle gas systems.
11 tanks containing compressed natural gas ( CNG ) were also installed on the bus, according to an inspection by OPFS officers and experts.
A House committee on transportation met yesterday to explain the fire’s origin and discuss potential solutions by representatives from the Department of Land Transport ( DLT) and the Automotive Engineering Bureau ( AEB ).
Jirut Wisanjit, the DLT’s director-general, informed the committee that six of the eleven CNG vehicles installed on the vehicle were registered, while the remaining vehicles were no.
According to the examination, one of the unregulated tanks was the source of the oil leak, which had not been checked by technicians, he said. The authorities are coordinating this investigation with the division to find out who is at fault.
How did authorities who were monitoring the van fail to notice the number of extreme gas tanks? Mr Jirut asked.
Cheep Nomsian, chairman of the AEB, told the House council that the vehicle involved in the accident was a single-deck vehicle, hardly a double-decker, and that the incident entrance at the rear was practical.
The examination found no evidence of a top rubber explosion, as recently reported, he said, adding that the car’s front-wheel wheel was broken and showed signs of scraping against the street area.
He also said that a gas line, which carries oil from the reservoir to the website, had come free, causing the hole. The top left wheel blew out, leading to the wheel caught on fire, according to early reports from first responders. The driver next lost power, and the vehicle swerved into the middle barrier. Flames quickly engulfed the car.
Following the incident, the DLT suspended the travel activity permission granted to Panisara Chinnaboot, the controller of the Sing Buri-based Chinnaboot Tour, Mr Jirut said.
If it is determined that the company’s neglect led to the drama, the license will be voided.
Additionally, Mr. Jirut pointed out that Other Resource Engineering Co., which offers gas-fuelled vehicle inspection and testing services, has been under investigation and Kanittha Chinnaboot’s TSM registration has been revoked.
The permission of the bus drivers, identified as Samarn Chanphut, 48, who surrendered to police on Tuesday evening, has also been suspended. He faces losing his licence if found concerned.
There will be checks of all 13, 426 cars using CNG within 60 days.