PATTAYA - A coach carrying 34 Chinese tourists to a massage parlour plunged out of control down a hill road and onto a Pattaya beach overnight.
Shocked passengers screamed in fear and many were reported to have fainted during the wild descent in Bang Lamung district about 10.30pm.
The Bangkok registered bus No.31-3866 came to a halt on the beach, about 50 metres from the road and wheel deep in the sea.
The passengers escaped almost unhurt with only a few slight injuries.
Rescue workers rushed to the beach, next to Soi 18 in tambon Na Kluea, found 34 shocked and dazed passengers still seated in the bus. They were helped to safety.
Bus driver Thaweechokchai Plaengthaisong, 49, said he was taking the group to a massage parlour in the area. The road was steep and the brakes were unable to slow it down.
He tried unsuccessfully to change down to a lower gear to slow the bus, which hit a parked pickup truck and plunged onto the beach, where it stopped on the edge of the sea.
