PATTAYA, THAILAND – An 18-wheel truck slammed into a four-storey commercial building, injuring two people and severely damaging the structure on the morning of 23 February 2026.
Truck tears into commercial block off Highway 7
The collision occurred on the frontage road of Highway 7 near kilometre marker 112+600–700 in Moo 4, when a white 18-wheel truck drove straight into the centre of a block of seven shop units. The driver of the Hino trailer truck, registered 75-6354 Chonburi, broke through the exterior wall with the cab and penetrated deep into the building, leaving a wide section of the façade destroyed. Police and rescue teams cordoned off the surrounding area after discovering extensive internal damage.
Vehicles crushed, famous food stall destroyed
Inside the building, a parked motorcycle and a car were crushed under falling concrete walls. Next to the impact site, the well-known som tam and grilled chicken stall “Wichianburi Grilled Chicken” was almost completely demolished. Stall vendor Ms. Lek Phan Kluang, 53, and the 45-year-old truck driver, Mr. Jit Ti Hongdee, suffered minor injuries and were taken to Pattaya Padmakun Hospital for further treatment.
Stall owner recounts moments of impact
The 58-year-old stall owner, Mr. Witya Jai Thiang, said he had been preparing the grill ahead of opening when the truck suddenly crashed into the building.
“The truck shot into the building without any warning and dragged everything with it.”
said Witya, stall owner. He added that his wife had been arranging ingredients when she was hit by debris, thrown to the ground and injured, while almost all of the equipment and goods at his stall were destroyed.
Building declared at risk of collapse
Initial inspections by authorities found deep cracks in load-bearing columns and central ceiling beams, leading officials to classify the entire structure as at risk of collapse. The building was declared a danger zone and residents were temporarily evacuated. Provincial engineers from Chonburi were expected to carry out a detailed structural assessment.
Police probe possible driver microsleep
According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Sitthawat Chawakrutherirat, investigators suspected the driver might have briefly fallen asleep at the wheel.
“We currently suspect that a momentary microsleep by the driver caused the accident, but this can only be confirmed after further questioning and investigation.”
said Police Lieutenant Colonel Sitthawat Chawakrutherirat. Police continued their inquiries while awaiting the engineers’ report on the stability of the damaged building.