The accident occurred between kilometre road markers 103-104 on the Mittraphap Highway in Tambon Mittraphap around 1am, Pol Lt-Colonel Wirat Thaksaniyom from Sikhio Police Station said.

Sikhio Police Station superintendent Pol Colonel Chalermsak Suksamran said the cause of the |accident, which occurred during heavy rain, was still being investig|ated.

Five people on the bus were killed – the bus driver Pichet Klinklang and four passengers (Prawit Saensri, Weerapol In-on, Suna Makhumlek and an unnamed Thai man) – as well as the truck driver, Thontham Hongwiangchan.

Of the 44 injured bus passengers, 12 were seriously hurt. Most were admitted to Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital. Four injured victims were treated at Sikhio Hospital while 28 were later allowed to go home.

Relatives of the deceased went to Sikhio Hospital to submit documents to collect the bodies yesterday |afternoon.