PHUKET, THAILAND – A 67-year-old Swedish tourist died after being struck by a car near Phuket International Airport on the eve of his return flight home.
Holiday trip ends in fatal collision
A Swedish couple had spent their vacation in Krabi and had been due to begin their journey back to Sweden on 23 January. At around 5:47 p.m. the previous evening, they were crossing a road in front of a PTT petrol station near the junction with Route 4026, south of the airport. At that moment, the 67-year-old man was hit by a private car driven by a 34-year-old Thai man, who stopped immediately.
Resuscitation efforts fail at clinic
Rescue workers arrived to find the tourist showing no signs of life and had to resuscitate him during transport. He reached Thalang Clinic at 6:19 p.m., where doctors continued attempts to save him. At 6:51 p.m. the 67-year-old was pronounced dead, with severe injuries from the traffic accident cited as the preliminary cause of death.
Driver cooperates but faces charges
According to police, the 34-year-old Thai driver behaved in an exemplary manner after the crash, stopping immediately and providing first aid. He even performed chest compressions until the ambulance arrived. Despite this, he was charged with negligent homicide, and his name was initially withheld for investigative reasons while the exact circumstances of the accident were still being examined.
Authorities inform embassy and family
Police in Thalang promptly notified the Sakhu Police Station, which has jurisdiction over the accident site. The Swedish embassy, immigration authorities and other relevant agencies were also informed. The tourist’s body was being kept at Thalang Hospital pending arrangements for transfer to his family through the embassy.
Dangerous area for pedestrians near airport
The accident location near Phuket International Airport was described as busy and challenging for pedestrians. Many tourists stayed in nearby hotels before departure and often crossed major roads on foot, and there was apparently no crosswalk at the site of the collision. The incident once again drew attention to pedestrian traffic safety in Thailand’s tourist regions.
A warning for visitors to Thailand
The event was described as a heavy shock for the family and a tragic warning for all travellers to Thailand.
“As a pedestrian, always be extremely careful, even on roads that seem easy to judge. Cross only at secured points and never overestimate your right of way.”
said local authorities. They added that a single careless moment on the last journey of a holiday could destroy a life’s happiness, and expressed condolences to the victim’s family.