A former bank employee lost control of his car and crashed into a roadside utility pole in Prachuap Khiri Khan. The car was severely damaged, resulting in the deaths of four people, including a 2-year-old boy.
At 10:30 a.m. on 20 Feb 2026, Lieutenant Somchai Koyoddamnoenkul, deputy investigator of Thongchai Police Station in Bang Saphan District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, received a report of a car losing control and crashing into a utility pole with multiple fatalities. He coordinated with the on-duty doctor at Bang Saphan Hospital and rescue teams from Bang Saphan and the Chai Kasem Subdistrict Administrative Organization to respond and investigate.
The scene was on the northbound lane of Phetkasem Road at kilometer 370 near Ban Nong Chan, Chai Kasem Subdistrict, Bang Saphan District, Prachuap Khiri Khan. A seven-seat Toyota Fortuner registered in Bangkok had crashed into a roadside utility pole. The vehicle was heavily damaged, front end pressed into the ground, roof caught on the pole, and rear end pointed skyward. Nearby, a victim was found lying face down outside the vehicle; she was identified as Mrs. Pornpan Pongsapan, 66 years old.
Rescue workers quickly removed the vehicle from the utility pole. Inside, three more victims were found dead: one in the driver's seat, identified as Mr. Wittaya Pongsapan, 67, a former bank employee; and two in the rear seats, identified as Mr. Nikom Phonklien, 70, and a 2-year-old boy.
Preliminary information indicates that Mr. Wittaya drove from his home in Cha-uat District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, heading toward Bangkok with his wife and relatives. Approaching the accident site—a long straight stretch—it is believed he fell asleep at the wheel, causing the vehicle to veer off into a roadside ditch near a utility pole, flip over, and collide with the pole. Police are conducting a detailed investigation to determine the cause and will coordinate with the families to arrange for the deceased to be returned for funeral rites.