Tragedy in Sattahip: Teenager Killed by Drunk Driver
A night of reckless driving in Sattahip ended in heartbreak when a 59-year-old pickup driver, under the influence of alcohol, crashed head-on into a motorcycle, killing a 13-year-old student. The driver admitted to consuming Lao Kao, a strong local spirit, before getting behind the wheel—his blood alcohol level was over twice the legal limit.
Wrong-Way Collision on Sukhumvit Road
At around 1:00 a.m. on October 9, 2025, Sattahip police responded to a severe accident on Sukhumvit Road near kilometer marker 2. A black Mitsubishi Triton, traveling in the wrong lane, collided head-on with a Honda Wave 125 motorcycle. The impact was so forceful that the motorcycle was thrown 20 meters from the point of collision.
Emergency responders from the Sawang Rojanathammasathan Foundation arrived to a harrowing scene. The 13-year-old motorcyclist, a student at Phlu Ta Luang Wittaya School, was found lifeless behind the pickup. The eighth grader did not survive the crash.
Driver Admits to Drinking Lao Kao
Wanlop Phrommasuwan, the 59-year-old pickup driver, escaped the crash without injury but was clearly intoxicated. He confessed to Lieutenant Pongphisut Mahasetthaworakun: “I drank 40% white spirit after work.” Wanlop had intended to drive 10 kilometers but ended up driving the wrong way—his journey cut short after just two kilometers by the fatal collision.
Blood Alcohol Level Far Exceeds Legal Limit
A breathalyzer test confirmed Wanlop’s intoxication, showing a blood alcohol concentration exceeding 100 mg%—well above Thailand’s legal threshold. Police immediately arrested him and transported him to Sattahip Police Station. He now faces serious charges: drunk driving resulting in death, a crime in Thailand that can result in lengthy prison sentences. Investigations are ongoing.
School Community Mourns Young Victim
News of the fatal accident has plunged the school community into mourning. The 13-year-old was on his way home from an evening with friends when tragedy struck. His family is devastated by the loss.
A neighbor commented, “So many accidents because of drunk driving—when will it finally stop?” Despite years of efforts by Thai authorities to combat drunk driving, such tragedies continue to occur.
Wanlop Faces Justice
The evidence against Wanlop is overwhelming: his confession, the failed alcohol test, and the physical evidence at the scene. As the legal process unfolds, the young victim’s family faces an agonizing period of grief and loss.