PHUKET: A man deliberately rode a motorcycle into a tree early today and killed himself, a friend who was riding pillion on the back has told police.

The friend, Jiawat Pongchai, 22, was uninjured. He survived the crash that instantly killed Saroj Suparas, 24, after a drinking session.

The two men had been enjoying themselves with others until 4am today when the Mummuangloong Restaurant in Vichitsongkran Road, Kathu, eventually closed.

Khun Jiawat told police that Khun Saroj had an argument with his girlfriend, who told him he was too drunk to be riding a motorcycle.

She said she would give him a ride home. But Khun Saroj insisted he was capable of riding and headed off.

When his girlfriend called as the two men rode towards the Big C supermarket in Phuket City, where the couple worked, Khun Jiawat heard Khun Saroj tell his girlfriend angrily over his mobile telephone: ''I am going to hit a 10-wheel truck.''

Moments later, Khun Jiawat said, Khun Saroj drove at speed into the tree.

His body is now in Patong Hospital. The men were not wearing helmets.

It was the second unusual crash and death in the space of 12 hours.

At 5.50pm the previous evening in Thepkasattri Road, a male pedestrian was struck and killed by a six-wheel truck after trying to wave down several motorists close to the Tah Reua Chinese Shrine.