BANGKOK, THAILAND – An 80-year-old retired teacher died after being struck by a motorcycle while using a zebra crossing in the Thai capital, prompting a police investigation into the rider’s conduct.
Retired teacher fatally hit on zebra crossing
The collision occurred on Wednesday evening at about 8 p.m. on Prachautit Road in Bangkok’s Rat Burana district, as Amnuay Plukjitsom was on the pedestrian crossing. A motorcycle suddenly sped toward her, hitting her with such force that she was thrown more than 20 meters through the air and landed on the asphalt with severe head injuries.
A rescue worker at the scene described her critical condition.
“She was lying motionless on her back, her condition was critical,”
said a rescue worker. Despite immediate resuscitation attempts, the 80-year-old later died at Suksawat Hospital.
Young rider denies wrongdoing
Officers found a damaged Zongshen Riva motorcycle at the crash site, ridden by Vichan, a 21-year-old Pakistani national, who appeared not to grasp the gravity of the situation. He told police he had only been on his way to the market and could not brake in time.
“I was not going too fast and only brushed her arm,”
said Vichan, according to police. Questioned by investigators, he denied any wrongdoing before witnesses came forward to contradict his account.
Witnesses allege speeding and attempted escape
A local resident stated the motorcycle had been traveling at high speed.
“He did not brake at all. The impact was so strong that the woman flew more than 20 meters,”
said a resident.
Another witness told police the Pakistani rider tried to get away after the crash.
“He walked away, made a phone call, and I took the key out, but local residents stopped him,”
said another witness. Police later took the young man to the Rat Burana police station, where investigators were reviewing photographic evidence and surveillance camera footage.
Victim was respected educator
The victim was well known in her community. Amnuay Plukjitsom had worked as a teacher at the respected Chetuphon Commercial College before retiring. Her sudden and violent death deeply shocked family, friends and former colleagues, who regarded her as a respected educator.
Her death once again highlighted the dangerous traffic conditions in Bangkok, particularly for older pedestrians trying to use marked crossings.
Police probe possible serious charges
Police said they were examining all details of the incident. If witness statements were confirmed, the Pakistani rider could face serious charges.
Investigators were considering not only negligent homicide but also an alleged attempt to flee the scene. For the teacher’s family, any official action would come too late, as her death on the zebra crossing stood as another grim example of the risks on Bangkok’s roads.
Questions over crosswalk safety
The rider maintained he had “only lightly brushed” the victim, while witnesses insisted the opposite was true. Many Thais were reportedly increasingly reluctant to use zebra crossings, amid debate over whether the country needed stricter laws or greater respect in road traffic.