This is the dramatic moment a bus crashed into a toll gate injuring dozens of Russian tourists, leaving at least six in a critical condition.

The coach operated by Kimhor Tour Company was passing through the toll bridge when it lost control in Chonburi province on the way to Pattaya, Thailand, on January 2.

CCTV footage shows the speeding vehicle ploughing through traffic cones before veering abruptly toward another lane. It then smashed into a concrete barrier and rear-ended a Toyota Fortuner SUV.

Highway Police said they received a report at 6:46 pm. They arrived and found passers-by helping the injured individuals move away from the wreckage.

Police Lieutenant Natthapol Litthirong, deputy investigation officer, said: ‘We inspected the scene and collected security footage as evidence. As for the cause, we will need to question the bus driver, but we suspect a brake malfunction caused the crash.'

Officials said at least 33 people were injured including six in critical condition. They were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Security guard Addy Yoosamran, 44, said he saw the bus speeding toward a lane blocked by traffic cones. He added: 'The bus suddenly changed lanes. It lost control and crashed into the toll booth and the Toyota Fortuner. It happened so fast, it was quite shocking.

'After the crash, we smelled the oil leaking from the vehicles so we helped the tourists move away in case the fuel ignited.'

Bus driver Sayan Khumpitak, 74, said he had picked up the Russian tourists from Rayong province to take them to Thai 'Sin City' Pattaya. He said there were 42 people inside the bus including himself when the crash occurred.

Police said they were investigating the cause of the accident, which is one of dozens of holiday period traffic accidents in Thailand.

On December 30, a tourist bus crashed into a truck injuring 17 passengers on Highway 41 in Chumphon province. The bus driver, Somsak Wattanakraisit, 70, allegedly said he lost control when he tried to pick up his phone that had fallen onto the floor.

While five passengers were killed when an out-of-control bus crashed into a tree along the same highway on January 1.

Authorities said the bus was travelling at 50 miles per hour and had been overtaking another car. The crash site was an area under construction to improve the road surface, they added.