YASOTHON, THAILAND – An 86-year-old driver crashed into multiple vehicles and market stalls outside a fresh market, injuring two vendors and triggering renewed debate over senior driving in Thailand.
Midday panic outside fresh market
Around 12:10 p.m. on Wittayathamrong Road in front of the city market, panic broke out as a car went out of control and people fled. According to police, Prapan, 86, from Yasothon, had intended only to go shopping when he tried to overtake a parked pickup truck. During the manoeuvre he failed to see an oncoming car, causing an initial collision.
“I panicked and accidentally stepped on the accelerator,”
said the elderly driver.
Six vehicles and stalls hit in chain collision
After the first impact, his Mitsubishi Lancer accelerated uncontrollably and shot across to the opposite side of the road. There it struck two barbecue stalls selling sticky rice and fish, as well as three parked motorcycles. In total, two pickup trucks, one car and three motorcycles were damaged, and the front of the Mitsubishi was left completely deformed, with glass shards and twisted metal scattered across the street.
Two vendors hospitalized, driver unhurt
The two affected market women suffered injuries from the impact, and emergency responders provided first aid at the scene. They were then taken to Yasothon Hospital for treatment, where their condition was reported as stable. The 86-year-old driver remained uninjured at the site and cooperated with investigators.
CCTV footage corroborates accident sequence
Police secured CCTV footage that confirmed how the incident unfolded, showing the Mitsubishi pulling out slowly from the roadside. During the attempted overtake, it collided with the oncoming vehicle, followed by the clearly visible uncontrolled acceleration.
“We are examining all evidence and witness statements carefully,”
said Police Captain Nakharin Chantanan, deputy head of investigations.
Debate over driving fitness in old age
The crash once again raised the sensitive issue of driving fitness at an advanced age, as Thailand has no mandatory tests for seniors. Experts had for years called for regular medical checks for older drivers, and this incident could reignite the discussion. Many market visitors demanded consequences, and one eyewitness remarked:
“This could have ended much worse.”
said an eyewitness.
Possible charges and compensation claims
Police launched standard proceedings, and the driver faced potential charges of careless bodily injury and property damage. Whether his driving licence would be revoked was to be decided by the court, with investigators stressing that the law applied equally to all age groups. For the affected vendors, the focus now turned to securing compensation and rebuilding their small stalls.