UTHAI THANI, THAILAND – Two teenage girls were killed during Songkran in Uthai Thani after being thrown from the back of a pickup truck, and police were searching for the missing driver.
Night-time crash on Thap Than–Krok Phra road
In the early hours of 14 April 2026, Thap Than police received a report of a serious traffic accident at around 00:15 a.m. on the Thap Than–Krok Phra road near Ban Tan (Moo 8), about three kilometres from the district centre.
Rescue workers and relevant authorities were dispatched to the scene to assess the situation and coordinate treatment for the injured.
Pickup overturns, passengers hurled from open bed
At the crash site, responders found a damaged green MightyX cab pickup bearing licence plate (B.C.) 6938 Uthai Thani.
Several people who had been riding on the open truck bed were thrown from the vehicle, and initial reports spoke of one person dead at the scene and additional injuries.
Return trip after Songkran water celebrations
According to initial findings, the vehicle had been on its way back from the Songkran water festivities in the city of Uthai Thani.
Six young people were reportedly sitting on the pickup bed together with a sound system of the kind often used during Songkran celebrations.
Suspected high speed, loss of control and open tailgate
Police initially believed the pickup had been travelling at high speed and may have lost control or swerved to avoid an obstacle.
In addition, the tailgate was said to have been open, causing three people to be thrown from the truck bed and to hit the road surface with great force.
Two fatalities: 15-year-old died at scene, 13-year-old in hospital
In the crash, 15-year-old Pawita Kamnoet, who lived with her grandparents in Nong Yai Da subdistrict, died at the scene.
Two other injured passengers were taken to Thap Than Hospital; a 13-year-old student later succumbed to her injuries there.
Other passengers: one slightly injured, two unharmed
Reports stated that three additional passengers remained in the vehicle after others fell from the open bed.
One person suffered minor injuries, while two others were reportedly unhurt.
Witnesses heard loud bang – driver not at scene
Residents said they heard a loud bang resembling a collision and then saw injured people scattered across the road.
The driver and those who had been in the front cabin were no longer at the scene after the accident, and police were searching and investigating to determine the exact cause and any potential charges.
Third fatal Songkran crash in Uthai Thani during ‘seven dangerous days’
Authorities said this was already the third fatal incident in Uthai Thani province during the so-called “seven dangerous days” around Songkran 2026.
The crash was particularly tragic because it occurred only about one kilometre from the victims’ homes and caused deep grief in the community.
Police secure evidence and seize vehicle
Officers managed traffic at the scene to prevent further collisions and to protect rescue operations.
The wrecked pickup was taken to Thap Than Police Station to enable further investigation and evidence collection.
Debate over safety on pickup beds during Songkran
The incident raised questions about safety rules for travelling on open pickup beds during Songkran.
The original report asked whether stricter controls or an outright ban would be necessary to prevent such tragedies and what measures, such as more police checks, tougher penalties, awareness campaigns or safer alternatives for getting home, people in Thailand would like to see.