A married couple were killed after a passenger van crashed into their motorcycle, dragged them along the road and later slammed into a utility pole in Thailand’s Samut Prakan province.
The horrific accident also left seven passengers injured and has sparked renewed concerns over impaired driving after the van driver admitted to consuming kratom tea before getting behind the wheel.
The crash occurred at around 6.22pm on Monday along Theparak Road in Bang Phli district, near N&B Plaza Market.
When emergency responders arrived, they found an orange public passenger van operating on the Bang Bo–Samrong route lodged against a roadside utility pole. The impact had snapped the pole in half, while the front section of the van was severely damaged.
A Honda motorcycle carrying a husband and wife was also found at the scene.
A woman believed to be between 40 and 50 years old was pronounced dead on the spot after suffering catastrophic injuries. Her husband, who was riding the motorcycle, was critically injured and rushed to hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
In total, the collision claimed two lives and left seven other people injured.
Initial statements from the 27-year-old van driver, identified as Somkid, alleged that a motorcycle travelling against traffic had collided with his vehicle, causing him to lose control.
However, investigators later found inconsistencies in his account.
CCTV footage reviewed by police reportedly showed the van rear-ending the motorcycle before both victims were thrown beneath the vehicle and dragged along the road. The van then veered off course, mounted the curb and crashed into the utility pole.
Witnesses claimed the driver had recently rented the van and was known to regularly consume kratom.
Further investigations revealed that he had been released from prison just two months earlier after serving a sentence related to drug-impaired driving.
During questioning, the suspect admitted he had consumed kratom tea shortly before the crash.
Police subsequently conducted drug and alcohol tests, both of which returned negative results. However, authorities noted the driver’s admission regarding kratom consumption as part of the ongoing investigation.
The suspect has been charged with reckless driving causing death, and further legal action is expected as investigations continue.
Authorities are also examining whether fatigue, impairment or negligence contributed to the deadly crash.
