Screaming tourists flee for their lives after bus bursts into flames in Thailand

A group of more than 30 tourists were forced to run for their lives after a bus they were travelling on burst into flames.

The coach was en route from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand yesterday afternoon when smoke started coming from the right rear wheel.

Driver Rath Chantamon, 55, spotted the smoke and immediately stopped the vehicle to have a look.

As he attempted to put out the fire from the bus engine, it began rapidly spreading so the driver ordered all the 39 passengers to get off.

A group of 39 tourists were forced to flee the bus when it burst into flames (ViralPress)

Police are still investigating the cause of the fire (ViralPress)

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The tourists were filmed screaming as they ran from the burning bus.

Firefighters from Doi Saket district came to the scene and spent more than 40 minutes trying to stop the fire, which had caused thick black smoke to engulf the air.

Driver Rath Chantamon, 55, spotted smoke and immediately stopped the vehicle to have a look (ViralPress)

Tourists were filmed screaming as they ran from the burning bus (ViralPress)

The driver said that he had no idea what started the big fire but added: "I didn’t know why but I think the fire came from the engine and spread into the luggage compartment before it burned the whole bus.’’

Police are still investigating the cause of the fire.