SURAT THANI – Nine students on a field trip received minor injuries when their chartered bus sideswiped a car and then veered off the highway in heavy rain in this southern province on Tuesday.
The crash occurred on Highway 44 (Surat Thani-Krabi) near kilometre marker 117+200 in Kanchanadit district about 4pm, Kanchanadit Rescue reported.
The double-decker bus was carrying 37 students and two teachers from Na San School in Surat Thani. They were travelling back from a field trip to Khanom district in Nakhon Si Thammarat, about 100 kilometres from the school.
The bus crew comprised the driver and two assistants.
Rescuers said it was raining at the scene. The bus had run off the road and into some trees before coming to a halt. It did not overturn.
Three boys and six girls, aged between 11 and 12, had complained of arm and leg pain after the crash and were taken to Kanchanadit Hospital.
A grey sedan was stopped nearby. It had damage to its front left side. Two passengers also sustained minor injuries, rescuers said.
Police said it appeared there was a small collision after which the bus driver lost control and the bus veered off the rain-soaked road.
The investigation was continuing.