A COUPLE died in a car crash as they drove to Phuket International Aiport last night to greet a flight from Bangkok carrying their daughter home.
It was the shocking climax to a tragic day on Phuket's roads, beginning with a horror smash around noon when a truck ran a red light and killed a young motorcyclist at the Tesco Lotus intersection in Phuket City.
The second and third victims of the day came in a double fatality about 10pm when Pomchai Sawatsri, 49, and Boonma Keawmanee, 54, crashed in the family vehicle on their way to the airport.
Their Mitsubishi Pajero slammed into a pole near the Thalang intersection on Thepkasattri Road. Khun Pomchai died at the scene and Khun Boonma died in an ambulance on the way to hospital.
The couple were travelling from their home in Phuket City, where the pair ran a swallows' nest business in a large building.
Police speculate that the couple may have swerved then slid in light rain to avoid a dog crossing the road.
The reaction of their daughter, flying home to a reunion with her parents, can only be imagined.
The parents of the young woman killed earlier yesterday were picking up her body today from Phuket to take home to Pitsanuloke province.
Police have named the victim of the Tesco-Lotus crash in Phuket City as Orrasa Pethpattana, 19, who was on the back of a motorcycle being ridden by boyfriend Yutthapong Deepakdee, 27.
Their vehicle and a second motorcycle were hit by a 22-wheel flatbed truck and trailer rig. The pair were not wearing helmets, police said.
The driver of the truck told police that the brakes failed as he tried to slow his fully-laden vehicle for a red light at the intersection. He was still being questioned by police today.
Khun Yutthapong is recovering from a broken leg and other injuries in Vachira Hospital, Phuket City. The rider of a second motorcycle, Wannasong Chamnan, 40, escaped with minor scrapes.
The horror day on the roads was a grim boost to the road statistics at a time when police appear to be achieving lower numbers of deaths and injuries, thanks to a safe-riding campaign for motorcyclists in and around Phuket City.
'Polite' Phuket Snatcher Tormented Me: Victim TellsIt was the shocking climax to a tragic day on Phuket's roads, beginning with a horror smash around noon when a truck ran a red light and killed a young motorcyclist at the Tesco Lotus intersection in Phuket City.
The second and third victims of the day came in a double fatality about 10pm when Pomchai Sawatsri, 49, and Boonma Keawmanee, 54, crashed in the family vehicle on their way to the airport.
Their Mitsubishi Pajero slammed into a pole near the Thalang intersection on Thepkasattri Road. Khun Pomchai died at the scene and Khun Boonma died in an ambulance on the way to hospital.
The couple were travelling from their home in Phuket City, where the pair ran a swallows' nest business in a large building.
Police speculate that the couple may have swerved then slid in light rain to avoid a dog crossing the road.
The reaction of their daughter, flying home to a reunion with her parents, can only be imagined.
The parents of the young woman killed earlier yesterday were picking up her body today from Phuket to take home to Pitsanuloke province.
Police have named the victim of the Tesco-Lotus crash in Phuket City as Orrasa Pethpattana, 19, who was on the back of a motorcycle being ridden by boyfriend Yutthapong Deepakdee, 27.
Their vehicle and a second motorcycle were hit by a 22-wheel flatbed truck and trailer rig. The pair were not wearing helmets, police said.
The driver of the truck told police that the brakes failed as he tried to slow his fully-laden vehicle for a red light at the intersection. He was still being questioned by police today.
Khun Yutthapong is recovering from a broken leg and other injuries in Vachira Hospital, Phuket City. The rider of a second motorcycle, Wannasong Chamnan, 40, escaped with minor scrapes.
The horror day on the roads was a grim boost to the road statistics at a time when police appear to be achieving lower numbers of deaths and injuries, thanks to a safe-riding campaign for motorcyclists in and around Phuket City.
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There is absolutely no policing of the roads in Phuket. Anyone can drive a red light, drive on the wrong side of the road, drive dangerously...tailgating, passing on the left shoulder...even right in front of a police car. No ticket. Never. So..we will have chaos on our roads, lots of accidents and deaths.... until we have proper policing of the roads. People will not behave and drive properly if there is zero risk of getting a ticket.
Posted by James Santhi on September 30, 2010 22:29