CHIANG RAI – Police have reported two serious road crashes occurred on the evening of Wednesday, one in Mae Sai and another outside Mae Fah Luang University, with two people dead and several injured.
The first crash happened at the Huai Nam Rin junction, where Phahonyothin Road meets the Mae Sai–Chiang Saen route, in Wiang Phang Kham, Mae Sai district. Police on the 191 patrol rushed to the scene after reports of a severe collision.
A green Honda sedan, registered in Chiang Rai, was heading from Chiang Saen towards the junction at speed. It struck three motorcycles travelling on Phahonyothin Road, sending the bikes and riders in different directions.
The car then lost control and hit a steel roadside barrier, where it came to a stop. The driver, later identified as Mr Somphong, 26, from Mae Salong Nok, Mae Fa Luang district, suffered minor injuries.
Rescuers found four injured people among the three motorcycles. All were taken to Mae Sai Hospital. Two later died from their injuries, a father and son riding together.
The father, Mr Ying Namsaeng, 45, an aluminum seller and volunteer with Phrommawihan Maesai rescue, and his 13-year-old son, Master Veeraburut Namsaeng. Two other victims were left in a serious condition.
Initial checks showed the same sedan had already collided with another vehicle at the Walanee traffic lights in Mae Sai, then continued at speed until it hit the three motorcycles at Huai Nam Rin. Police detained the driver for questioning at Mae Sai Police Station and are gathering evidence to establish the cause.
The second incident took place outside the shopfronts at the entrance to Mae Fah Luang University, in Tha Sut, Mueang Chiang Rai. A white Isuzu six-wheel lorry, registered in Chiang Rai, was travelling from Mueang Chiang Rai towards Mae Chan at high speed.
As it passed the crossroads in front of the university, it ploughed into roadside businesses, including a noodle shop and a roti stall, then into a parked pickup and several motorcycles. The damage was extensive. The roti vendor was injured and taken for treatment. Officers are tracking down the lorry driver for legal action.
Data from the Thai Road Safety Collaboration indicates that Chiang Rai consistently ranks among provinces with high accident rates, with over 1,000 incidents reported in recent years, frequently involving tourists unfamiliar with local traffic patterns or locals under the influence of alcohol.
Efforts by authorities, including stricter enforcement of speed limits and awareness campaigns, aim to curb fatalities, yet the blend of scenic routes and lax safety adherence continues to make road travel a notable concern for residents and visitors alike.
