The death toll from a school bus fire in Thailand has risen to at least 23, local media reported on Wednesday.

Thirty-eight pupils aged between six and 15 and six teachers were on their way from Uthan Thani province to Bangkok, 200 kilometres south-east of the Thai capital.

The blast occurred on the bus about 200 kilometres south-east of the Thai capital on Tuesday.

Twenty children and three teachers were killed, while several other children were seriously injured.

According to broadcaster ThaiPBS World, most of the victims were burned beyond recognition.

DNA samples were taken from relatives in order to identify those killed.

The bus driver initially fled the scene after he could not control the flames with an extinguisher, the Kahosod newspaper reported, citing police.

The driver had confirmed eyewitness statements that a burst tyre was responsible for the accident, local media reported.

The bus then drifted into another lane, hit a car and scraped along the guardrail.

Reports suggested the emergency exit of the bus could not be opened.

The bus company responsible had had its licence temporarily revoked, reported the newspaper The Nation.

Road accidents are common in Thailand, which, according to the World Health Organisation, has one of the highest road traffic fatality rates in the world, with motorcyclists accounting for most of these deaths. 

(dpa/NAN)