CHANTHABURI, THAILAND – Eight people were injured when an SUV left the road and overturned in a roadside ditch in Chanthaburi province in the early hours of 29 January 2026.
Early-morning crash on Sukhumvit Road
The crash occurred on 29 January 2026 at around 04:40 on Sukhumvit Road heading towards Trat, near a resort in Village 9 of Khwian Hak subdistrict. The dispatch center of the Khlueng Rescue Foundation received a report of a crashed vehicle with several occupants trapped inside.
Police and rescue teams from Khlueng Police Station were sent immediately to the scene. They found a black Honda CR‑V with Chanthaburi license plates lying on its side in a deep ditch beside the roadway.
Vehicle severely damaged but worse outcome avoided
The front of the vehicle was heavily deformed from the impact. According to responders, the ditch was dry due to the dry season, which they said prevented more severe consequences.
Eight people, including the driver, were inside the SUV at the time of the accident. Four of them were freed by rescuers without the use of technical equipment.
Trapped occupants and technical rescue
One of the four initially freed occupants was seriously injured and unconscious, while the others suffered injuries of varying severity. The remaining four people, including the driver, were trapped in the wreck.
Rescuers used hydraulic cutting and spreading tools to open the door pillars and reach those pinned inside. The extrication took more than 40 minutes; two of the freed occupants were seriously injured and unresponsive, while two others were injured but remained conscious.
Driver critically injured, victims taken to hospitals
The driver was identified as Chaiwat, 21, from Trat province, who was in critical condition and unconscious. Another male passenger complained of severe shoulder pain but was responsive.
All injured occupants received initial treatment at the scene before being transported away. Four were taken to Makham Hospital, while the other four were brought to Khlueng Hospital.
Coordinated medical response and transfer
The critically injured driver was later transferred to Phrapokklao Hospital for further treatment. Medical care and transfers were coordinated by the emergency services of the Khlueng Rescue Foundation.
A truck driver who had been traveling behind the SUV described what he saw.
“I saw the Honda CR‑V lose control and first touch the guardrail,”
said the truck driver, witness.
Witness account and police investigation
“After that, the vehicle left the roadway and plunged into the roadside ditch, injuring the occupants,”
said the truck driver, witness.
Police thoroughly documented the crash site and secured evidence. Based on initial assessments, officers believed driver microsleep might have played a role.
The authorities were awaiting the results of an alcohol test on the driver. The exact cause of the accident was to be determined after completion of the investigation.