Sen Tanyarat was not in the damaged minibus.
Police from Thap Put Police Station, who were first on the scene, found a Toyota Camry had hit the minibus on the left side with enough force to push it onto the traffic island.
Seven passengers in the minibus were sent to Thap Put Hospital before being transferred later to to Vachira Phuket Hospital. The three most seriously injured are now reported to be in stable condition.
The driver of the Toyota Camry, Bhaarkin Wharnsanoh, 49, confessed he had lost control of the vehicle when he bent down to answer his phone.