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In
a 2015 study on global road safety, the World Health Organization found
Thailand had the world's second most dangerous roads with 36.2 fatalities per
100,000 people ©Stephen Shaver (AFP)
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At least 12 people
including Chinese tourists were killed on Sunday when a bus plunged off a road
in Thailand, the latest fatal smash in a country with some of the world's most
dangerous highways. Investigators
said the accident happened shortly after midday in Doi Saket district 30
kilometers (18 miles) from the northern city of Chiang Mai.
"Initial
reports show there are 14 people injured and 12 people have died," an
officer at Doi Saket police station told AFP, asking not to be named.
AFP report continues:
"It's
not only Chinese but also Thai," he replied, when asked to confirm local
media reports that those on board the bus were Chinese tourists.
Multiple
images posted online by local news outlets showed a horrific scene as rescuers
battled to reach those trapped inside the smashed bus, which had come to rest
in thick foliage with its roof caved in.
Some
of those still inside had suffered horrific injuries. In one picture seven
pieces of white sheeting had been draped to cover either bodies or body parts.
Deadly
road accidents are common in Thailand.
In
a 2015 study on global road safety the World Health Organization found Thailand
had the world's second most dangerous roads with 36.2 fatalities per 100,000
people.
The
WTO said the number of official reported road deaths a year in Thailand for
2012, the latest year figures are available for, was 14,059.
But
they added that their modelling suggested the true figure is actually closer to
24,000 dead a year.
Tourism
is a mainstay of Thailand's otherwise fragile economy, accounting for around 10
percent of GDP, and the December to February period is peak season.
The Chinese travel to
Thailand in greater numbers than any other nationality.
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