19 dead as bus collides with truck, catches fire in ThailandJuly 23, 2013 - 10:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A double-decker passenger bus caught fire after colliding with a truck on one of Thailand's busiest highways early Tuesday, July 23, killing 19 people and injuring 23, authorities said, according to The Associated Press. The bus drivers and most of the passengers were stuck in the bus when it caught fire, police Lt. Assavathep Chantanaree said. The overnight bus had been heading for Bangkok on the Mitraphab highway in Kaeng Khoi district in the central province of Saraburi. It had departed from Roi Et province in Thailand's northeast Monday night. Several Thai newspapers have reported the truck driver had minor head and leg injuries, but Kaeng Khoi district chief Passakorn Bunyalak said authorities have not identified the driver. He said police believed the driver was dozing off when the accident happened. After the initial crash, another woman was injured when a pickup truck hit the piled-up vehicles, Assavathep said. Saraburi is 90 kilometers (60 miles) north of Bangkok. More than 9,700 people were killed in road accidents in Thailand last year. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | “By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents. The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. |