CityNews – June 16, a red songtaew on a school run with nine students on board headed to various schools in the city, swerved off the road and hit a tree in Sansai area.
The driver was identified as Suthat Chaiwasil, 63. The front of his vehicle was greatly damaged.
Fortunately, Suthat and the students were only slightly injured.
According to witnesses, the songtaew was driving steadily on the Chiang Mai – Doi Saket Road headed to the city at a normal speed.
But when the songtaew passed a u-turn point, it suddenly swerved off the road and hit the tree.
Suthat said he backed out while driving.
He was accused of driving carelessly.
He will be also examined by the officials of Chiang Mai Provincial Land Transport Office for the wrong use of the songtaew, which was registered as a public vehicle, but he instead was used to pick up students without permit.
The police also stated a warning to elderly drivers, like Suthat, to be aware of their driving competency so that the same incident won’t occur again.