BANGKOK: Thirty-six Malaysian tourists were injured when their tour bus skidded off the road in the Bo Phloi district in Kanchanaburi, 110km west of Bangkok, yesterday.
A group of Malaysians from Johor, aged between four and 70, had just visited the Safari Park in Kanchanaburi when the incident occurred at 1.20pm local time.
The bus driver and tour guide, both Thai nationals, were also injured.
A member of the tour group, Hisyam Rahim, said the incident occurred when the bus driver tried to overtake a 10-wheel truck but lost control and the bus skidded off the road.
“Ambulances rushed to the scene and we were sent to Bo Phloi Hospital in Kanchanaburi. A 40-year-old Malaysian suffered tendon injuries and underwent surgery at Paholpolpayuhasena Hospital in Kanchanaburi.
“The other 35 Malaysians, who suffered minor injuries, returned to their hotel after receiving treatment,” he told Bernama.
The group is on a tour to Thailand from Feb 21 to 24, visiting Bangkok, Pattaya and Kanchanaburi.
Malaysian ambassador to Thailand Jojie Samuel said several personnel from the embassy travelled to Kanchanaburi to see to the needs of the Malaysians involved in the accident.
“They were able to meet with some of the victims. The embassy will provide consular assistance to all of them,” he said.
The 44-year-old driver claimed that the steering wheel malfunctioned when he was attempting to overtake the 10-wheel truck, forcing the bus to skid off the road and hit a tree.
