SRIRACHA, THAILAND – Two people were killed when a 22-wheel truck ran over a motorcycle while turning into a container yard on 16 February 2026.
Deadly collision at harbor access road
The crash occurred at around 3 p.m. on the parallel road to the highway towards Laem Chabang. A semi-trailer truck of the brand Foton pulled out to the left to enter a commercial compound and collided with a Yamaha Spark that was in the entrance area. According to police, the motorcycle carried a man and a woman.
Motorbike dragged 10 meters under 50-ton truck
Investigators from the Nong Kham police determined that the truck struck the motorcycle from the side. The force of the impact pushed the bike and its riders underneath the heavy vehicle. The truck driver stated he had begun his turn without noticing the motorcycle on his left side.
After initial investigations, police said the truck dragged the motorcycle for about ten meters. The driver only realized an accident had occurred when the vehicle came to a halt fully inside the yard. Rescue workers from the organization Sawang Prateep could only confirm the deaths of both victims at the scene.
Phone data used to trace victims’ route
Officers found a mobile phone at the crash site that was still switched on. Its navigation app showed a planned route towards Pattaya, which police are now using to reconstruct the timeline of the journey before the collision. The data are also being examined to help identify the unknown female passenger and reach her relatives.
Victim identified, woman still unnamed
One of the deceased was identified as 21-year-old Thanathon Rungphimai. The identity of the woman riding with him remained unclear, as no identification documents were found. Authorities said they were checking the information on the seized phone to contact family members.
Heavy equipment needed to recover bodies
Because the victims were trapped under the heavy rear wheels, a crane had to lift the 50-ton truck to free the bodies. They were then taken to Laem Chabang Hospital for autopsy. Police said the results would form part of the technical assessment of the crash.
Driver questioned, possible charges pending
The 32-year-old truck driver was taken to Nong Kham police station for further questioning and was cooperating with investigators. Officers were examining whether technical defects or human error in the blind spot contributed to the accident. Whether the driver would face charges of negligent homicide would be decided after completion of the expert reports.
Renewed concerns over safety at port entrances
The case once again raised concerns about safety at poorly visible harbor access points. Experts called for clearer marking of such danger spots for riders of two-wheeled vehicles.
“A massive truck, an unseen motorcyclist – seconds decide over life and death. Again and again there are serious accidents involving large commercial vehicles. Should turning-assistance systems, stricter inspections or separate lanes be made mandatory?”
said The Pattaya News, posing questions that are now fueling the public debate.