**Ministry of Transport Enhances Safety Regulations for School Trips Following Fatal Bus Fire**

In the wake of a devastating bus fire in Pathum Thani that resulted in the deaths of 20 students and three teachers, the Ministry of Transport is instituting stricter safety protocols for public transportation. This initiative will encompass comprehensive inspections of buses fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG), the establishment of standardized safety requirements for school field trip buses, and the provision of safety training for both teachers and students.

Authorities responded to the tragic incident by scrutinizing reports indicating that the bus, in service for over 50 years, had undergone several modifications, including improper adaptations for CNG. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced the formation of a special committee dedicated to proposing immediate and long-term safety measures across all vehicle types to mitigate accident severity. This committee will incorporate experts from the Engineering Institute of Thailand and will investigate the ill-fated bus, its safety equipment, and the fire's cause.

The Department of Land Transport (DLT) will enforce tighter regulations on modified vehicles and mandate inspections for all CNG-fueled buses. New standards will be issued for buses designated for school field trips, and provincial transport offices will assist schools in selecting suitable vehicles. The DLT will also educate teachers and students on the proper use of onboard safety equipment, such as seat belts, emergency exits, hammers, and fire extinguishers.

Minister Suriya emphasized the importance of travel plans for emergencies, which would involve route selection, rest stops, and vehicle inspections by a transport safety manager. Initial reports indicated that the bus involved in the fire met safety standards and that its rear emergency door was operational. The vehicle, carrying 39 students and six teachers from Wat Khao Praya Sangkharam school, caught fire on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road near the Zeer Rangsit shopping center.

Preliminary inspections found no evidence supporting earlier claims of a front tire explosion. DLT officials and a police forensic team are now examining the CNG installation, brakes, and steering systems to ascertain the fire's cause. Early responder reports suggested that a blown front left tire ignited the wheel, leading to a loss of control and collision with a median barrier, which quickly engulfed the bus in flames.

The ministry is also considering limiting double-decker buses to intra-city use and banning their operation for interprovincial transport. Following the tragedy, the DLT has suspended the transport license of Panisara Chinnaboot of Chinnaboot Tour and will revoke it if negligence is confirmed. Additionally, the registration of Kanittha Chinnaboot as the company's transport safety manager has been canceled, pending further investigation into Alternative Resource Engineering Co.

Bus driver Samarn Chanphut, who surrendered to police, has had his license suspended. Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote stated that all 13,426 CNG-powered vehicles will be inspected within 60 days, starting with 2,935 non-scheduled buses. Non-compliant vehicles will lose their operating permits.

To enhance onboard safety, a law will require non-scheduled buses to employ trained staff who must pass emergency response and passenger assistance tests, similar to those on public buses. Bus operators will be mandated to provide emergency guidelines akin to those used by airlines.

As grieving families gather to memorialize the victims, activists and lawmakers are urging new safety measures to prevent future tragedies. While some have called for the cessation of school field trips, Education Ministry officials have temporarily suspended such excursions pending improvements in bus passenger safety. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra emphasized that the problem lies not with the trips themselves, but with inadequate bus maintenance and inspections. Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn from the opposition People's Power Party echoed the sentiment, underscoring the importance of field trips for student learning and the need for robust public vehicle safety management.