A storm battered Chainat, toppling over 30 power poles like dominoes and tragically crushing a 74-year-old woman riding a motorcycle. Her relatives were heard crying inconsolably upon learning the news.
At 20:45 on 4 May 2026, Police Lieutenant Colonel Phisit Boonmee, Deputy Inspector (Investigation) of Mueang Chainat Police Station, received a report of a fatal accident on Phahonyothin Road, the route between Takli District, Nakhon Sawan Province, and Chainat Province. The incident occurred in Village No. 3, Suea Hok Subdistrict, Mueang Chainat District. He rushed to the scene with volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation in Chainat and the on-duty doctor from Chainat Narenthorn Hospital.
At the scene, more than 30 power poles were found toppled and scattered, blocking traffic on the inbound side to Chainat city, and causing a blackout along the route. The body of Mrs. Thaworn Rungreung, 74, from Suea Hok Subdistrict, Mueang Chainat District, was discovered crushed under a fallen power pole on her motorcycle. Her grieving family was heard crying loudly. Authorities handed over the body to relatives for religious funeral rites.
Investigation revealed the deceased had been riding back from Takli District, Nakhon Sawan Province, which borders Chainat Province. She was delivering rice to her sister. On her return trip, a sudden seasonal storm arose with thunder and strong winds, causing power poles near Ban Mi intersection in Takli District to fall like dominoes over a stretch exceeding one kilometer, toppling more than 30 poles. The victim was riding her motorcycle home and was struck by a fallen pole just 2 to 3 kilometers from her house.
Her son said that on the day of the storm, he had spoken by phone with his mother, questioning why she was going out when their house’s roof had already been blown off by the wind. He repeatedly warned her not to leave, but she was concerned about her sister and wanted to deliver the rice. When he sensed trouble, he went out to check and found his mother had already passed away.