CHONBURI, THAILAND – A five-vehicle collision on Motorway 7, the main route linking Bangkok and Ban Chang, claimed three lives and injured five others early Wednesday morning as motorists headed toward Pattaya.
Chaotic Scene on the Highway
Police said the crash occurred around 2:30 a.m. near kilometre marker 86+900 in Tambon Bang Phra, within Sri Racha District. Police Lieutenant Colonel Ratphon Warana, Deputy Chief of Highway Police Station 1, coordinated rescue operations with the Motorway Rescue Radio Center and volunteers from the Pure Yang Tai Sri Racha Foundation.
When emergency teams arrived, they found a chaotic tangle of twisted metal involving five vehicles — a white Hino truck, a white MG sedan, a bronze Toyota Veloz van, a white ION sedan, and a black Toyota Camry. Victims lay scattered on the wet asphalt as rescuers worked under floodlights to reach the injured.
Three Confirmed Dead, Five Hospitalised
Authorities confirmed three fatalities at the scene:
• Ms. Jirawadee Thon Thong Daeng, 22, who had reportedly stopped to warn other drivers after an initial collision.
• Mr. Phanu Phan Rassameerat, 42, the driver of the Toyota Camry, found deceased near the highway median.
• Mr. Yon Ki Young, 43, a South Korean tourist, discovered dead inside the Camry.
Five others, both men and women, sustained injuries ranging from fractures to head trauma. They were transported to hospitals in Sri Racha District for emergency care.
Good Samaritan Among the Victims
Preliminary investigations indicated that the accident began when a sedan rear‑ended the Hino truck. Ms. Jirawadee emerged from her car to direct oncoming drivers away from the obstruction. Moments later, vehicles traveling at high speed failed to brake in time, creating a deadly chain reaction.
Mr. Phanu Phan had reportedly been driving from Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi Airport to pick up his friend Mr. Yon, who had just arrived for a vacation. The pair were on their return journey when tragedy struck.
Witness Account and Ongoing Inquiry
Montree Sammawatthanakul, 42, driver of the Toyota Veloz and one of those injured, said he had been returning from a funeral in Bangkok with friends. Traveling at over 100 km/h, he told investigators he did not see any warning signals before impact.
“THE NEXT THING I REMEMBER, EVERYTHING WENT BLACK”,
he recalled from his hospital bed.
Investigators said poor visibility and high speed may have contributed to the severity of the crash. Highway police plan to reconstruct the sequence of events once all survivors can provide formal statements.
Probe Into Contributing Factors
Authorities announced that the Highway Police Station 1 team will examine skid marks, lighting conditions, and vehicle damage to determine the exact cause. They expect to review dash‑cam footage and witness testimony in the coming days.
Road safety conditions remain a pressing concern in Thailand, where fatigue, limited visibility, and excessive speed often combine to produce fatal accidents. Officials have urged drivers to maintain lower speeds and use hazard lights when approaching stop‑and‑go traffic at night.