A tragic accident occurred when an oil tanker driver fell asleep at the wheel, crossing into the opposite lane and colliding head-on with a Fortuner SUV that was on its way to a family member's graduation, resulting in four deaths and two serious injuries.
At 07:00 on 25 December 2025 GMT+7, Police Lieutenant Boonsong Wang-ae-klang, Deputy Investigation Officer at Nong Bunnak Police Station, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, received a report of a vehicle collision near the Ban Mai Subdistrict Administrative Organization (Ban Mai SAO) in Nong Hua Raet Subdistrict, Nong Bunnak District. He promptly went to the scene with relevant officials.
The scene was on the inbound side of Nakhon Ratchasima Province at kilometer marker 78+200 on Highway 24, Sikhiu–Ubon Ratchathani Road. An oil tanker truck, license plate 70-3871 Ubon Ratchathani, had lost control, struck an electric pole, then crossed the median and collided with a white Toyota Fortuner, license plate งต 8539 Nakhon Ratchasima. The oil tanker overturned, spilling thousands of liters of diesel fuel continuously. Officials from Ban Mai SAO and volunteers from Sawang Metta Rescue Unit, Nong Bunnak station, deployed to block the road and sprayed water before covering the diesel spill with sand.
Inside the Fortuner, four occupants were trapped and initially confirmed dead: Mr. Saengthong Thonmat, 51; Mrs. Nuporn Matthapanang, 56; Mrs. Khamnang Srichampa, 74; and Mr. Kasorn Srichampa, 79. Additionally, Ms. Sasithorn Paengwong, 45, and Ms. Ratchanok Matthapanang, 29, were seriously injured and taken to Nong Bunnak Hospital for treatment.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Mr. Suntorn Daedchantuek, the oil tanker driver who sustained minor injuries, said he was driving the tanker from a depot in Rayong Province to deliver to a customer in Ubon Ratchathani. While driving, he fell asleep, causing the truck to hit an electric pole and cross into the opposite lane, colliding head-on with the Fortuner, driven by Mr. Saengthong, who was taking relatives to a graduation ceremony later that morning.
Authorities have charged the driver with reckless driving causing injury and death, as well as damage to government property.