Coach enroute to Chiang Rai, Thailand crashes into ravine killing 29 people

A coach enroute to the province of Chiang Rai crashed Friday around midnight in the Lom Sak district of Phetchabun province, killing 29 people and badly injuring four. The bus plunged into a deep ravine after the driver allegedly fell asleep.

Thailand has made efforts to improve their road safety. Serious accidents involving cars, coaches and mini-buses occur, as Thailand has a high number of road accidents per year. Thailand averaged over 12,000 death per year from 2000 to 2010. Many accidents are due to poor vehicle and driver safety standards. There have been a number of accidents involving overnight coach travel.