KHON KAEN - Fifteen Lao passengers were hurt when their van hit a truck parked on the side of the Mittaphap highway on Sunday evening.
Pol Capt Chatree Khaosa-ard, chief interrogator at Ban Phai police station, said the accident occurred around 5.30pm in Ban Phai district.
The van was taking 15 Lao workers back to Bangkok from Nong Khai after they returned to Vientiane to renew their Thai work permits, he said.
Investigators suspect that van driver Naphaskhan Sopheepong, 34, fell asleep at the wheel. Passengers told police he had made several petrol station stops and was driving erratically before the accident.
Lorry driver Kasem Leamthongkham, 51, said he was taking his cargo from Khon Kaen to Prachin Buri and had pulled over onto the side of the road to check his tyres.
The van driver was also injured and remains in hospital. Police were waiting until he is well enough to question him.
