A tragic accident occurred when a pickup truck ran a red light at Wat Chantharam in Chai Nat Province, clipping the rear of a worker transport truck before losing control, crashing into a utility pole, spinning, and hitting a parked pickup truck. The vehicle was torn in two, resulting in 5 deaths and 5 injuries.
At 05:30 on 22 February 2026, Police Lieutenant Colonel Sothon Sukkhaew, investigator at Sangkhaburi Police Station in Sangkhaburi District, Chai Nat Province, was notified of an accident at the red light intersection at Wat Chantharam, Village No. 1, Huai Krot Subdistrict, Sangkhaburi District, Chai Nat. A pickup truck ran the red light, rear-ended a worker transport pickup truck, then collided with a utility pole before spinning and hitting a parked pickup truck. Multiple fatalities and injuries were reported. Authorities, including Chai Nat Ruamkatanyu Foundation volunteers and emergency doctors from Sangkhaburi Hospital, promptly arrived to investigate.
At the scene, a severely damaged Isuzu D-Max pickup truck registered in Bangkok was found split in half. Ten people were aboard, including injured and deceased victims. Six were critically injured, scattered on the road with multiple fractures, and were rushed to Sangkhaburi and Sanpya hospitals for treatment. Later, Miss Supattra Klaidthong, 25, one of the injured, succumbed to her wounds at Sangkhaburi Hospital.
Four people died at the scene. Their names were: 1. Watchapon Sungngam, 28, the pickup truck driver; 2. Natthaporn Namee, 23; 3. Charuwan Singha, 26; and 4. Thitima Klinthong, 24. All were residents of Sangkhaburi District. Each suffered multiple bone fractures and deformed arms and legs.
Investigations and CCTV footage showed the pickup truck scraped along from the traffic signal pole until it was dangling, then crashed into the rear of the worker transport pickup at the red light intersection.It then crashed intoa large utility pole, spun around, and collided with a parked pickup truck, scattering the people inside. This caused the mass casualty accident. Police are awaiting the injured to regain consciousness for questioning, as well asperforming autopsiesand conducting blood alcohol tests before proceeding with legal action.
Mr. Panyachon, 43, the driver of the worker transport pickup which was rear-ended by the other pickup, said the white pickup involved came from the Chao Phraya Dam direction, ran the red light, and hit the rear of their vehicle carrying four workers—one in the pickup bed and three in the cabin. They were proceeding normally and had just gotten a green light when the other vehicle suddenly ran the red light and struck them heavily. Fortunately, no one on their side was injured.At the time, the traffic light was green.As they were starting to move, the other vehicle ran the red light and collided violently. Luckily, no injuries occurred on their side.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Watcharin, 53, who sells bamboo sticky rice near the accident site, said she was preparing her goods when suddenly she heard a loud noise like thunder. Turning around, she saw the wrecked vehicle and people lying scattered motionless without any sound. Debris from the vehicle and goods was scattered all the way to in front of her shop.
The mother of one of the deceased said her daughter had finished work around 1 a.m. and was returning home with friends from the city center when this tragic accident occurred before they could reach home.