SURAT THANI – Five members of a family died when their pickup truck rammed into an 18-wheel trailer truck in Khiri Ratthanikhom district in the early hours of Monday.
The accident occurred on a road linking Surat Thani and Takua Pa district of Phangnga province, and was reported to the district police station about 12.30am, Pol Capt Anirut Polrak, a deputy inspector (investigation) at Khiri Rathanikhom police station, said.
Rescuers and police found three people dead in the pickup truck and two other injured passengers, who were rush to hospital but later pronounced dead.
Surat Pirom, his wife Boonrueng Pirom and son Suthiwat Pirom died at the scene. Their daughter-in-law Orawan Ruengngam and six-year-old grandson Ratchanont Pirom died in hospital.
The driver of the 18-wheeler, Kanong Pathaisong, was waiting at the scene when police arrived. He said he was taking construction material to Phuket, driving at 70kph. The pickup crashed into the rear of his vehicle.
Investigators said Surat was driving the family back home to Ban Ta Khun district of Surat Thani after they had visited a sick daughter in Surat Thani hospital.
The accident was on a section of straight road. Police said the pickup truck driver may have fallen asleep.
