PATTAYA, THAILAND – A 28-year-old driver was injured in the early hours of the morning when her pickup overturned on Highway 36 heading toward Pattaya.
Early-morning crash on key approach road
The accident occurred at around 4:00 a.m. on Highway 36 in the direction of Pattaya, near the Khru Pa Boon restaurant in Nong Pla Lai subdistrict, Chonburi province. The section is a major traffic route providing access to the coastal resort.
Rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation in Pattaya were dispatched after an emergency call. They found a white Ford Ranger lying on its side with heavy damage.
Driver trapped inside overturned pickup
The driver was identified as Kanyarat Ngamthongkhong, 28. She was trapped inside the vehicle and unable to free herself.
Rescue teams used hydraulic equipment to extricate the woman from the wrecked pickup. She received initial medical treatment at the scene before being rushed to Patamakun Hospital; details on the severity of her injuries were not immediately available.
Witnesses point to sudden tire failure
Witnesses told police the pickup had been travelling at high speed when a front tire suddenly burst. The vehicle then went out of control, struck a roadside barrier and rolled onto its side, according to eyewitness accounts given to investigators.
Police opened an investigation into the crash. Initial assessments by officers indicated that the tire damage was considered the main cause, with further technical checks and additional witness statements planned to clarify the exact sequence of events.
Accident during ‘Seven Dangerous Days’ campaign
The incident occurred during the nationwide “Seven Dangerous Days” road safety campaign around the New Year period, when authorities highlighted the high risk of traffic accidents. Traffic volumes were particularly heavy during this time, and officials repeatedly warned about excessive speed and technical defects in vehicles.
Investigators were examining how speed, tire condition and road surface may have interacted. In this context, safety authorities regularly stress that:
“Tires and brakes should be checked before long journeys.”
said safety authorities.
“Adapted speed on expressways is crucial.”
said safety authorities.
“Protective installations such as guardrails can mitigate serious consequences.”
said safety authorities.
Broader questions on technology, speed and risk
The case also raised broader questions about everyday road risks. A burst tire or a brief moment of inattention can turn a routine drive into a nightmare, highlighting how well vehicles are actually maintained and how often high-speed risks are underestimated.
Further results of the police investigation were still pending, while debate continued over what offers more protection on the roads: better technology, lower speeds or stricter controls.