RAYONG, THAILAND – A 72-year-old retired teacher died when his car veered off a narrow plantation road, slammed into trees and burst into flames in Rayong.
Car burst into flames on short drive home
The crash occurred at around 3 p.m. on 27 December on a small access road in the Huai Yang subdistrict, where residents reported a loud impact and a column of black smoke. Fire crews arrived to find only the burned-out wreck of the vehicle and brought the intense blaze under control after about 15 minutes. Rescue was no longer possible for the driver.
“The car was completely on fire immediately. There was no chance.”
said an eyewitness.
Retired teacher identified as victim
Police identified the driver as Mr. Pornin, a retired teacher who had been returning home from a local market. His three-door Honda suddenly left the road, scraped a concrete edge and then crashed with full force into several rubber trees. The narrow track through the rubber plantation left him no room for evasive action once he lost control, and the vehicle was completely destroyed.
Police probe possible health emergency
Investigating officers ruled out third-party involvement in the crash. Police Captain Nattakrit Khongrod of Klaeng Police Station gave an initial assessment of the likely cause.
“According to our initial investigations, the driver may have suffered a sudden medical emergency.”
said the police officer.
The deceased had known pre-existing conditions, including high blood pressure and diabetes, and had already scheduled a medical appointment for 6 January. Police were awaiting the final autopsy report from Klaeng Hospital to formally determine the cause of death.
Authorities issue warning to older motorists
Officials used the tragedy to issue a broader warning to older drivers and their families to monitor health status critically and on a regular basis. They stressed that sudden illness while driving alone could have devastating consequences and that regular medical check-ups were essential. The case raised concerns in the community about how safely elderly motorists could drive when health risks were underestimated.
Community mourns respected local figure
Friends and neighbours in the community mourned the loss of the formerly respected teacher, who was known as a quiet and helpful person. His family was expected to receive his remains after completion of all forensic examinations to conduct traditional religious funeral ceremonies. The shocking accident unsettled the wider region and served as a stark reminder of the need for caution on the roads.