PHUKET: A Burmese man died instantly when his motorcycle failed to take a notoriously sharp bend on a road in central Phuket this afternoon.

Phyo Maune Maune, 27, was riding from Patong towards Phuket City when he failed to negotiate the sharp bend in the Baan Kathu Baan Samkong Road, near a Shell service station, about 4.30pm.

The motorcycle collapsed beneath him and Mr Phyo was flung across the media strip to be struck by a car coming in the opposite direction.

He was not wearing a safety helmet and died on the spot. His body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket City.