CHIANG MAI – Police have arrested an 82-year-old man after a hit-and-run case that began on the Asian Highway in Nakhon Sawan and ended with officers tracing the vehicle to Chiang Mai.
The suspect was driving a white Nissan Navara pickup and is accused of speeding along the hard shoulder, clipping motorbikes, then fleeing the scene. Officers also found signs that the vehicle had been in other collisions, and the number plates were later swapped from Bangkok to Maha Sarakham.
On 5 January 2026, investigators from Phayuha Khiri Police Station in Nakhon Sawan took Mr Chanin, 82, from Mueang District, Chiang Mai, into custody. Police seized a white, four-door Nissan Navara pickup, originally showing registration from Bangkok, and handed the case to an investigating officer for questioning.
Police have filed charges, including careless driving causing harm to others, failing to stop and give reasonable assistance to injured people, and fleeing without identifying himself to officers.
Pickup Sideswiped Motorcycle
The case dates back to December 29, 2025, after a crash clip spread on social media. The footage showed the suspect’s pickup travelling at speed on the hard shoulder of Highway 1, inbound to Nakhon Sawan, in the Phayuha Khiri area. The pickup then sideswiped a motorbike, sending it crashing to the roadside, before driving off.
After checking more CCTV footage, police said the same pickup had also clipped another motorbike earlier on the same route, causing it to fall as well. Both injured riders later reported the incidents to investigators.
Officers then reviewed CCTV along the suspected escape route. The trail led to Mueang District, Chiang Mai, where police located the pickup, seized it, and detained the driver before sending him to investigators to face legal action. During the initial police interview, Mr Chanin gave a partial denial. He claimed he didn’t realise he had hit two motorbikes.
Police told reporters that after the Phayuha Khiri collisions, the pickup also struck a roadside barrier in Kamphaeng Phet. Officers added that once the vehicle returned to Chiang Mai, the number plates were changed to กฉ 6580 Maha Sarakham, and it was then used as normal until the arrest.
Mr Kob, 50, a relative of the suspect, said Mr Chanin has always loved cars and speed, even from his youth. He said that although the driver is now in his 80s, he still prefers to drive himself. According to the family, his work involves importing and exporting goods, so he travels often.
Police Release Suspect on Bail
Mr Kob said the family has tried to stop him from driving before, as he has eyesight issues, but he refused to listen. He also said this was not the first serious crash. Last year, the suspect reportedly wrecked a Mercedes in Saraburi, and that car still has not been fully repaired.
When asked about visible damage around the pickup, Mr Kob said not all of it was fresh. Some marks were older, and the car had not been repaired. He said Mr Chanin tends to keep using vehicles until they are heavily damaged.
Reporters later approached Mr Chanin, but he declined a full interview. He said that on the day of the incident, he drove steadily, at around 110 to 120 km/h, and did not feel any impact. He also said he used to be a keen “lane-splitting” style driver, always looking for gaps in traffic.
Police said the pickup is covered by third-class insurance, and compulsory motor insurance will cover initial injury-related costs. Police can also call the injured parties in to discuss compensation later. Both injured riders were reported to have suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Police released Mr Chanin on bail after he recognized the charges.
