PHAYAO – A tragic collision on the R3a highway has left a young Phayao student riding a motorcycle dead as police urgently search for the runaway truck driver who hit him.
Earlier Sunday, officers from Chun Police Station received a call about an accident involving a lorry and a motorbike at the traffic lights near the Pong Sanuk intersection. Police, along with forensic doctors from Chun Hospital and emergency services, rushed to the accident scene.
They arrived to find a badly damaged Honda motorbike. The rider, wearing a student uniform, was found lifeless on the road. He was later identified as Tosaphon Lueanghor, 18, from Hong Hin, Chun, Phayao.
A forensic examination revealed that a severe head wound was the immediate cause of death. Rescue workers then transferred his body to the hospital for further examination.
According to the Manager Online, Tosaphon had left home in Hong Hin that morning, headed to his training. As he reached the R3a traffic lights at Pong Sanuk, he was struck by a lorry travelling towards Thoeng, Chiang Rai.
The impact was so strong that it killed him instantly, and the lorry driver fled the scene.
Police cordoned off the area and collected evidence to establish how the accident happened. Investigators are now working quickly to find the lorry driver and plan to prosecute the person responsible once found.
Overview of Motorcycle Accidents in Thailand
Thailand has one of the highest rates of road traffic fatalities globally, with motorcycles involved in over 80% of all road deaths. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Thai government data, the country ranks among the top 10 for road safety risks, with a death rate of around 32 per 100,000 population.
Motorcycles dominate the vehicle fleet (over 22 million registered), making them the primary mode of transport, especially in urban areas and for low-income commuters. However, poor enforcement of traffic laws, combined with high-risk behaviours, contributes to thousands of incidents annually. While overall road fatalities averaged 17,428 per year from 2020–2024, motorcycle-related deaths accounted for about 80% of these.
Recent Incidents (as of September 2025)
- September 13, 2025 (Pattaya): A 42-year-old American rider lost control of his Yamaha MT-15 on Sukhumvit Road, crashing into a streetlight. He sustained serious injuries but survived.
September 6, 2025 (Pattaya): A British tourist (20s) and his Thai girlfriend were seriously injured in a collision on Third Road. The Brit claimed the other rider (18-year-old local) failed to yield from a side alley; high speed cited.
September 1, 2025 (Samut Prakan): A Custom big-bike rider is in critical condition after a high-speed crash with an SUV during a test ride. Bike upgrades (200,000+ baht) totalled.
Early September 2025 (Nonthaburi): Tragic case of a 3-year-old boy falling from a family motorcycle and being run over by a truck.
Prevention and Advice
- For Riders: Always wear a properly fitted helmet (mandatory but poorly enforced). Avoid alcohol, ride defensively (stay left, signal clearly), and get training. Use apps like Bolt for safer alternatives.
- For Tourists: Rent bikes only if experienced; many insurances exclude motorcycles—opt for comprehensive travel policies covering them (e.g., via providers like APRIL International). Stick to tuk-tuks or Grab in cities.
Stricter helmet laws, awareness campaigns, and the 2023–2027 National Plan aim to improve enforcement and infrastructure. Only 10–19% of roads meet safety standards for vulnerable users, per 2024 IRAP ratings. File a police report immediately, document everything, and consult a lawyer (e.g., Siam Legal) for claims—foreigners often face delays.
While trends show improvement, vigilance is key—Thailand’s roads remain hazardous.
