The accident occurred in front of Hongyok Bumrung School at about 4pm, reported Capt Thanom Thongpan of the Tha Chatchai Police.
The driver of the motorbike, identified by police as 47-year-old local Baan Yid, Mai Khao, resident Noppadon Chairab, was killed instantly, Capt Thanom said.
The bus driver, Tanu Longsamud, 38, from Songkla told police that the motorbike suddenly cut in front of him while the driver was making a u-turn.
“The tourists on the bus panicked, but no people on the bus were injured,” Capt Thanom said.
“Both vehicles involved in the accident have been taken to Tha Chatchai Police Station. The driver contacted the company and they arranged another bus to pick up the tourists,” he added.
Mr Tanu faces a charge of reckless driving causing death, Capt Thanom said.
The tour bus, belonging to Rascharot Travel, was fitted with red license plates. Under the registration numbers on the front and back license plates are the words “Use for sale or repair”.
“Mr Tanu has also been charged with using a illegally operating a bus without a permit,” Capt Thanom told The Phuket News.
“The driver misused the bus, contravening the terms of use as conditioned by the license plates,” he said.
“However, if he had a permit issued by the Phuket Land Transport Office allowing him to use the bus to commercially transport tourists, he would not be charged with this,” Capt Thanom explained.