BANGKOK, THAILAND – A 56-year-old motorcyclist was killed in a high-speed collision with a Mercedes in the Thaphra Tunnel late Sunday night.
Deadly collision on Ratchadaphisek Road
Around 0.30 a.m., Yupin Nansunee, 56, was changing lanes on the exit ramp of the Thaphra Tunnel on Ratchadaphisek Road when a white Mercedes slammed into the rear of her motorcycle at high speed. The impact hurled her through the air, and she suffered fatal head injuries at the scene despite immediate attempts at resuscitation.
“Her head hit the road,”
said an eyewitness.
Motorcycle dragged nearly 100 metres
The force of the crash was so great that the motorcycle was dragged almost 100 metres before the Mercedes came to a halt. A witness described the scene as shocking, stating,
“The vehicle dragged the motorcycle for almost 100 metres behind it.”
said the witness. Poor lighting in that section of the tunnel further complicated and endangered the work of rescue personnel.
Mercedes driver in shock, police probe under way
The 30-year-old woman driving the Mercedes was reportedly in a state of shock after the accident but remained at the scene and cooperated with police.
“She was taken for an alcohol test,”
said the police, adding that investigators wanted to determine whether alcohol or excessive speed was the cause of the crash. Officers were reviewing surveillance video and interviewing additional witnesses, while the victim’s body was sent to Siriraj Hospital for autopsy.
Questions over tunnel safety
The fatal collision again raised concerns about safety standards in Bangkok’s tunnels, where the combination of high speed and poor lighting was described as potentially deadly.
“The incident underscores the need for cautious driving in tunnels,”
said the police, warning that even small driving errors in such confined spaces could have catastrophic consequences.
“We are collecting all the evidence before initiating legal steps,”
said an officer, noting that any charges against the Mercedes driver would depend on the outcome of the investigation.
Family grief and renewed warning to drivers
For the family of Yupin, the sudden loss of the 56-year-old motorcyclist meant their world had “collapsed”, local reports said. Her death was cited as another tragic example of the dangers on Bangkok’s roads, particularly in tunnels and poorly lit sections. The police issued an appeal to all road users:
“Adjust your speed and always drive with foresight!”
said the police.