A Fortuner vehicle lost control and fell into an irrigation canal, resulting in 9 deaths believed to be foreign workers – police are urgently pursuing a suspicious pickup truck.
At 07:00 on 3 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Police Lieutenant Kacha Onlao, investigator at Pak Tho Police Station, received a report of a grey Toyota Fortuner registered in Bangkok losing control and falling into an irrigation canal in Moo 4, Ban Nong Kratum, Nong Kratum Subdistrict, Pak Tho District, Ratchaburi Province.
He reported to Police Colonel Phasapong Monta, chief of Pak Tho Police Station, who traveled to the scene with the Pathom Borom Ratchanusorn Foundation. On inspection, only the vehicle’s roof was visible above the large irrigation canal’s water. They coordinated for a tow truck to pull the vehicle from the water.
After the vehicle was retrieved, officials inspected inside and found a tragic scene: 9 bodies tightly packed inside. All appeared to be foreign nationals and each had a blue wristband tied to them. The vehicle had a rear tire blown out and both front and rear windows shattered, likely from the impact during the fall. Among the 9 deceased—8 men and 1 woman—there were also some survivors who escaped, but the exact number is unknown (according to eyewitnesses).
According to eyewitness testimony, while pumping water into a field, they saw the Fortuner speeding with a black pickup truck closely following. The Fortuner then lost control, possibly due to a tire blowout, and plunged into the canal. Shortly after, several men, whose exact number is unclear, climbed out of the vehicle and swam ashore. One was believed to be a Thai man, likely the driver, while the others appeared to be foreign nationals. They were picked up by the pickup truck, which took approximately 4-6 people away. The eyewitness promptly alerted authorities, leading to the discovery of the deceased inside the vehicle. Combining the 9 fatalities and 4-6 who escaped, it is estimated that 13-15 people were crammed inside the vehicle when it fell into the canal.
Initially, Pak Tho Police have begun investigation and tracking of the suspicious pickup truck. Police Colonel Phasapong Monta has ordered an urgent resolution of the case due to the high death toll and suspicious circumstances. Further updates will be provided.