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 Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. Armenian Economy Minister to make trip to UAE May 20-22 A delegation led by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan will travel to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on May 20-22 Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Pillars installed in Armenian border village of Kirants In the Armenian village of Kirants, three border markers have been installed, and border guards stand next to them. |