BANG PHLI, Samut Prakan – A pickup driver killed a 30-year-old motorcyclist by driving the wrong way down Sri Wari Noi and cutting across the road to turn.
Worapoj, 48, from Samut Prakan, was behind the wheel of a black pickup with Udon Thani plates. He admitted he had downed a jug of beer before the 11.38pm horror smash.
Rider had no chance to avoid the collision
The pickup appeared on the wrong side of the road near the Thip-Kesorn Market. Worapoj suddenly swung the vehicle across the carriageway without waiting for a gap.
A motorbike from Bangkok, ridden by Nattawut Sueatrong, 30, was coming the correct way. He slammed into the front of the pickup and suffered catastrophic injuries.
Emergency crews fought for 20 minutes in vain
Paramedics from Bang Phli Hospital battled for more than 20 minutes to save Nattawut. They could only pronounce him dead at the scene.
A noodle-soup vendor screamed in terror as she saw the pickup approaching. CCTV from the roadside captured the reckless manoeuvre.
Driver admitted going to buy noodles – shop was shut
Worapoj stayed at the crash site and waited for police. He immediately confessed to driving on the wrong side of the road.
I wanted to go to the market to buy noodle soup. But the shop was already closed.
said Worapoj, pickup driver.
Blood test ordered after beer admission
Worapoj told officers he drank a jug of beer before driving. Police arrested him on suspicion of negligent manslaughter and ordered a blood sample to determine his exact alcohol level.
If the result exceeds the legal limit, additional charges will be filed. Police stressed they will wait for the blood-alcohol test before completing the legal assessment.
Family says victim worked as a ride-hail driver
Nattawut’s wife and relatives rushed to the scene in tears. They said he worked for a ride-hailing app, ferrying passengers.
He was likely on his way to pick up customers. His white motorcycle lay wrecked next to the pickup. The family blames Worapoj’s recklessness for the tragedy.
Autopsy ordered at Ramathibodi Institute
Nattawut’s body was handed over to the Por Teck Tung Foundation and taken to the forensic department at Ramathibodi Chakri Naruebodindra.
An autopsy will determine which internal injuries caused his death. The results are needed for the legal case. Police are also reviewing all CCTV footage and interviewing more witnesses to reconstruct the exact sequence of events.