PHUKET, Thailand — A head-on collision between two motorbikes in the Pa Khlok area of Thalang has resulted in one fatality and renewed attention to road safety in Phuket, where traffic-related deaths continue to rise.
Details of the Incident
The accident occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 9, on the Mueang Mai–Pa Khlok Road, directly in front of the SuperCheap store. Thalang Police responded to the emergency call and dispatched officers and rescue personnel to the scene. By the time authorities arrived, both riders had already been transported to Thalang Hospital.
Yudin Thothip, the rider of a motorbike registered in Nakhon Si Thammarat, was later pronounced dead. The second rider, a 15-year-old Phuket resident, sustained injuries but survived. His motorbike was locally registered. According to eyewitness accounts, Yudin was reportedly traveling against the flow of traffic at the time of the collision.
Police Investigation and Response
Police collected photographic evidence and impounded both vehicles for further examination. The investigation is being led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Panya Chaiwichit, under the supervision of Thalang Police Chief Police Colonel Nikorn Chuthong. Authorities stated that legal proceedings will commence following the completion of the inquiry.
The incident has contributed to a growing list of casualties on Phuket’s roads. The Thai Road Safety Committee (Thai RSC) reports that 91 people have died in road-related accidents on the island so far this year, with 21,158 others injured.
Broader Context and Official Warnings
On the same day as the Thalang crash, two people were killed and 52 others injured in separate traffic incidents across Phuket. Data from The Phuket News indicates that 84% of all recorded road accidents this year have involved motorbikes, underscoring the heightened risks faced by riders on the island’s busy streets.
Police have urged all road users to adhere strictly to traffic regulations, wear helmets, and remain vigilant, particularly as the number of young and inexperienced riders increases.
Related Incidents and Ongoing Risks
In a separate incident, a 13-year-old schoolboy was killed in Sattahip when a drunk driver traveling the wrong way on Sukhumvit Road collided head-on with his motorbike. The fatal crash occurred around 1 a.m. on October 9 near kilometre marker 2, with the teenager dying instantly at the scene.
Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of road safety measures and enforcement as Phuket and other regions address the ongoing challenge of reducing traffic-related injuries and fatalities.
