Double-decker bus crashes on Trang-Krabi road — 30+ injured
Photo courtesy of The Thaiger
A double-decker bus traveling from Phuket to Betong crashed on the Trang-Krabi road today, injuring over 30 passengers. The bus overturned near a school in Na Wong subdistrict, Huai Yot district.
Twenty rescue vehicles from nearby districts responded to the scene. That's a massive emergency response — gives you an idea of how serious this was.
What happened
The bus was on the Phuket-Betong route, which is one of the main connections between the popular tourist areas in the south and the Malaysian border. Details about what caused the crash aren't clear yet, but the bus ended up completely overturned on the road.
Emergency services moved fast — police and rescue teams were on scene quickly, which probably helped keep the injury count from being worse.
Why this matters if you're traveling south
This route is heavily used by both locals and travelers. The Phuket-Betong line connects major tourist spots with the deep south, and double-decker buses are common for longer routes like this because they can pack in more passengers.
If you're planning to travel between Phuket and the Malaysian border area, expect possible delays on this road while they clear the accident and investigate. The Trang-Krabi road is a major artery — when something like this happens, traffic backs up for hours.
Bus safety reality check
Here's the thing about long-distance buses in Thailand: accidents happen, especially on routes through mountainous areas between provinces. Double-deckers can be top-heavy, and some of these roads have sharp curves.
Not trying to scare anyone — millions of bus trips happen safely every year. But it's worth knowing that Thailand's road safety record isn't great, and long-distance buses are involved in serious accidents more often than you'd hope.
What you can do
If you're traveling these southern routes:
- Day buses are generally safer than overnight ones
- Avoid the upper level of double-deckers if you're nervous
- Check if there are train alternatives for your route
- VIP buses from established companies tend to be better maintained
For this specific route: Consider flying from Phuket to Hat Yai if you're heading toward the Malaysian border, then taking ground transport from there. It's more expensive but cuts out the mountain roads.
The investigation is still ongoing, so we don't know exactly what caused this crash. But 30+ people injured in a single bus accident is significant news for anyone traveling in southern Thailand.
Stay safe out there. Sometimes paying a bit more for a flight or train makes sense.
Source: The Thaiger
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