PHRAE – Widespread online criticism has emerged on Thai Social Media following a tragic accident involving a physical education teacher and students returning from a sports competition in Chiang Mai.
On the way back, the school truck, converted into a bus, broke down after the clutch failed. Worried about the safety of his students, the teacher parked the vehicle safely on the roadside and went to find a phone signal to call the school director for help.
While attempting to contact support, a government minivan from the Ministry of Agriculture lost control going uphill and hit the teacher, causing him to fall off a cliff in full view of his students.
The accident took place by the entrance to Ban Khao Phlueng in Huai Rai subdistrict, Den Chai district, Phrae province. The minivan lost control and struck Mr Kanong Thongkamsuk (53), a senior physical education and sports coach at Lom Sak Wittayakom School, killing him instantly.
Police and Den Chai Rescue Association responded to the accident. It took the team more than 30 minutes to find his body, which had fallen into a deep ravine. After a thorough search, rescue workers managed to recover his body and bring it up to the road.
Locals shared that the breakdown happened in the afternoon. The teacher had been in contact with the school to organize a replacement vehicle, speaking with the school director at 4.50 pm. By 5.00 pm, before the replacement van could arrive, the Ministry of Agriculture van lost control and struck him, causing his death.
Many people feel concerned about whether Mr Kanong will receive proper justice because the minivan involved belonged to a government agency. As a result, there has been widespread discussion and criticism on Facebook, reflecting worries about fairness in the legal process.
Police at Huai Rai Police Station are handling the case and say all procedures will follow the law closely. There are also questions about the official use of the government vehicle, whether it was properly authorized, and if the driver had permission to use it on a public holiday.
Authorities are setting up an official investigation to gather all facts and review compliance with regulations.
In Thailand, the issue of pedestrians being struck and killed by vehicles is a significant public safety concern, driven by a combination of factors including high traffic volumes, inadequate infrastructure, and lax enforcement of traffic regulations.
According to reports, thousands of fatalities occur annually, with motorbikes—prevalent due to their affordability and maneuverability—often involved in collisions with pedestrians, particularly in urban areas like Bangkok.
Poorly designed crosswalks, limited pedestrian overpasses, and reckless driving behaviours, such as speeding or ignoring traffic signals, exacerbate the problem.
Additionally, cultural attitudes toward road safety and limited public awareness campaigns contribute to the high mortality rates, underscoring the urgent need for improved urban planning, stricter traffic law enforcement, and enhanced pedestrian safety measures.
