CHIANG MAI, THAILAND – A British businessman died early Thursday morning after being thrown from his powerful KTM 1290 Super Duke and struck by three vehicles on the Chiang Mai‑Lampang Highway near the Children’s Court underpass. Craig Davies, 51, who had lived in Thailand for years and ran a health‑products company, was due to celebrate his birthday later that day.
Accident and immediate response
Police and rescue teams from the Chiang Mai Special Rescue Team arrived at the scene to find the motorcycle overturned and debris scattered across the roadway. According to investigators, Davies lost control on a steep approach to the underpass, was violently ejected from the bike and landed in the oncoming lane where three vehicles hit him within seconds. He sustained catastrophic injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities cordoned off the area, redirected traffic and later transferred the body to a hospital for autopsy.
Witness accounts and on‑scene details
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic, traumatic scene. Many bystanders were visibly shaken; several broke down in tears. One witness said it happened in seconds as the motorcycle flipped and the cars struck one after another. CCTV footage and multiple witness statements are being reviewed to reconstruct the sequence of events. Police reported all drivers involved remained at the scene and fully cooperated with investigators.
Victim and community reaction
Davies was a familiar figure in Chiang Mai’s expatriate community and was remembered by friends and colleagues as kind, reliable and generous. His partner paid tribute online, thanking him for his steadfast support. The British Embassy in Bangkok has been notified and is assisting with consular matters and arrangements for repatriation of the remains. The death has left local ex‑pats and business contacts in shock.
Investigation
Mae Ping police station Lieutenant Colonel Adulsiri Wongtankard expressed deep sympathy for the family and called the crash a deeply traumatic event. Authorities said high speed may have been a factor and noted that the steep gradient and potential dust or moisture on the road could have reduced traction. The incident remains under full review; at this stage investigators are not pursuing criminal charges, pending forensic and CCTV analysis.
Road safety concerns
Davies’ death has revived calls for improved road safety on the Chiang Mai‑Lampang Highway. Residents and local groups are urging better signage, warning lights, lower speed limits on steep sections and more frequent road surface inspections and cleaning to remove dust and other hazards. Officials warned that high‑performance ‘big bikes’ can be difficult to control at speed and that even minor loss of traction can be fatal.
Broader context
Thailand’s road toll remains alarmingly high, with authorities noting that motorcyclists account for roughly 80 percent of traffic fatalities. In 2024 about 14,000 people reportedly died in motorcycle crashes nationwide, underscoring persistent safety challenges as powerful bikes become more common.
Aftermath and questions
As police continue their probe, the crash serves as a stark reminder of the risks motorcyclists face on steep, poorly maintained or high‑speed roads. Are Chiang Mai’s roads and tourist routes too dangerous for motorcyclists, and will this tragedy prompt meaningful safety reforms?