CHUMPHON, THAILAND – A serious road accident at a U-turn in Tha Sae district left two people dead and four injured during the New Year holiday period.
Frontal collision at U-turn near market
The crash occurred on Tuesday, 31 December 2568, at around 5 p.m. at the U-turn in front of the Por Ta Hin Chang Market in Tha Sae district. A blue Honda from Bangkok, travelling toward the capital, suddenly lost control, veered off the southbound lane and collided head-on with a parked black Toyota pickup from Surat Thani.
Two dead and four injured after impact
A woman standing near the pickup died at the scene. Four other people were injured and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. One of the injured later died at Tha Sae Hospital, bringing the total number of fatalities to two.
Emergency services responded with several vehicles to treat the injured and transport them to medical facilities.
Police investigate cause of loss of control
Police were investigating the exact cause of the Honda driver’s loss of control. According to eyewitnesses who spoke to officers from Saphli, the vehicle had been moving normally before it suddenly left the road.
“The investigations into the exact cause of the accident were still ongoing,”
said the police.
Officers examined whether excessive speed, technical failure or a medical emergency involving the driver might have played a role. They secured evidence at the scene, interviewed witnesses to reconstruct the course of events, and ordered technical inspections of the vehicles.
Holiday traffic and the ‘seven dangerous days’
The accident happened during the New Year travel period, when roads across Thailand were significantly busier than usual. Many people were on their way to visit family or go on holiday. Statistics showed that the so‑called “seven dangerous days” around New Year regularly ranked among the most accident‑prone times of the year, with fatigue, unfamiliar routes and heavy traffic cited as contributing factors.
Police issue urgent warning to motorists
Police used the crash to issue a strong appeal to drivers.
“Reduce your speed, observe U-turns and intersections particularly carefully and be extremely cautious when travelling during the holiday period,”
said the police.
They stressed that U-turns and areas in front of markets demanded extra attention, as pedestrians and parked vehicles often made conditions harder to assess. Authorities announced stepped‑up checks nationwide to improve road safety during the festive season.
Community impact and road safety debate
The accident had far‑reaching consequences for the victims’ families and the local community, who now faced the difficult task of coping with their loss. Local authorities and aid organisations offered support to the bereaved. The incident also reignited discussion about traffic safety in the region.
Calls for stronger prevention measures
Following the crash, the question of effective preventive measures was raised again. Road safety experts called for a combination of approaches, including improved infrastructure at critical points such as U-turns, tighter traffic enforcement during high‑risk periods and expanded public awareness campaigns on road safety.
They also highlighted the central role of drivers’ own responsibility. Adequate rest, appropriate speed and heightened attention were emphasised as measures that could save lives.