Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha clarified today that the ill-fated bus in Monday's Cameron Highlands accident was a high-decker bus and not a double-decker.

"A high-decker bus is one which has one level for passengers and a lower one to store luggage. It is normally a tour bus.

"It is also higher than a normal bus, but not as high as a double-decker," he told reporters at his office here.

Asked whether a high-decker bus was suitable for use on hilly roads, Kong said it all depended on whether they met the requirements.

"As far as vehicles are concerned, so long as they comply with all the approved requirements and technical specifications, they can use any road in the country," he said.

It was earlier reported that the ill-fated bus was a double-decker.

In the accident two days ago, the bus carrying 37 people crashed through a divider and overturned on the Cameron Highlands-Simpang Pulai Road, killing 25 Thai tourists and two Malaysians, who were the driver and the tour guide.

Ten Thai tourists were injured.

Bodies of Thai victims flown home

Meanwhile, the bodies of Thai tourists who died in the bus accident were flown home on two Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) C-130 aircraft today.

Both aircraft took off from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Base in Subang, here at about 5pm.

One of the 10 Thai tourists who were injured in the accident was also flown back to Bangkok on one of the aircraft.

All the bodies were taken on a trailer and a van from the Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB), Ipoh and arrived at the airbase at about 3.30pm.

Three of the injured victims were taken on an ambulance to Bukit Kayu Hitam today before being sent to Hadyai while six others were still receiving treatment at the HRPB.

The Thai government had sent the two aircraft to take back the bodies of the Thai nationals.

- Bernama