SRI RACHA, THAILAND – A teenage boy and his younger sister from Myanmar were killed on Monday morning when their motorcycle slid under a truck during their ride to school in Sri Racha.
Deadly collision near ice factory
Police and rescue workers were called to Sukhaphiban 8 Road in Sri Racha, Chonburi, near the Worakit ice factory, after reports of a serious accident at about 8 a.m. Police Lieutenant Boonlai In-iam from Laem Chabang Police Station arrived with teams from the Sawang Prateep Sri Racha Foundation.
At the scene, officers found a wrecked Honda Wave motorcycle and the bodies of two children beneath an 18-wheel truck: a 15-year-old boy and his 9-year-old sister, both from Myanmar. They had died instantly after being run over. The girl was a student at the ASEAN Thai-Myanmar Learning Centre at Wat Boonyaram School.
Relatives told investigators the boy had only recently taken over the daily task of driving his sister to school because their father was unavailable. He had not been in Thailand for long and was still unfamiliar with local traffic conditions.
CCTV confirms chain of events
Initial investigations indicate the motorcycle was travelling in the same direction as a Lao worker walking along the roadside. As the boy attempted to pass, the motorcycle struck the pedestrian, causing the bike to wobble and slide into the path of the truck’s trailer.
The 57-year-old driver, identified as Wanrob Charoenying, said he was heading from Ao Udom towards Highway 7 when he noticed the motorcycle attempting to overtake on the left.
“I saw it clip the pedestrian and immediately lose control. I braked, but it was too late,”
said Wanrob Charoenying, truck driver.
Both children were pulled under the wheels before the vehicle could be brought to a complete stop.
Surveillance cameras in the area captured the sequence clearly, showing the motorcycle losing balance after touching the pedestrian and both children falling directly into the truck’s lane. The Lao worker suffered head injuries and abrasions but survived and was taken to a nearby hospital.
Community grief and safety appeals
Teachers, classmates and relatives who arrived at the site were visibly shaken. They said the siblings had almost reached their destination when the crash occurred. One teacher, in tears, recalled how close they had been to safety:
“They were just minutes away from arriving,”
said a teacher.
Police closed the road to document the scene and sent the bodies to Laem Chabang Hospital for autopsy. The truck driver was taken to the police station for further questioning as the investigation into the precise cause continues. Early findings support the collision with the pedestrian as the trigger for the fatal chain reaction.
Local traffic authorities used the incident to reiterate basic safety guidance in the heavily used commuting and school zones around Sri Racha. They urged riders to wear helmets correctly, attempt overtaking only with clear visibility, respect pedestrian areas and road edges, and ensure vehicles are regularly maintained. Officials said the tragedy underlined how a brief moment of inattention on secondary roads can have devastating consequences, particularly for children commuting to school.