A pickup truck with a metal cage crashed into a car at a traffic light intersection during a transition to flashing signals, causing 4 deaths and 1 serious injury, while the pickup truck driver was unharmed.
On 11 Jun 2026 GMT+7, it was reported that at approximately 22:00 on 10 Jun, Police Lieutenant Colonel Noppol Satyadit, Deputy Inspector (Investigation) of Wiang Chai Police Station in Chiang Rai Province, received a report of a severe car collision on main road number 1142, between Wiang Chai and Phaya Mengrai, at the junction with secondary road number 1151 between Wiang Chai and Don Sila. He promptly went to inspect the scene with rescue personnel from the Sirikorn Chiang Rai Rescue Association, Wiang Chai unit, and Siam Chiang Rai Foundation, Wiang Chai unit.
At the scene, a white Toyota pickup truck with a metal cage was found severely damaged at the front, with both front wheels detached, parked about 20 meters from the median strip. Long skid marks were present. The driver, identified as Mr. Wisa, 34, from Sisaket Province, was standing at the scene cooperating with authorities and was not injured.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Mr. Wisa stated he was driving from Nong Bua Lamphu Province, passing through Chiang Rai city, and using the new Nong Luang road heading toward Chiang Khong District to pick up fruit. He claimed to have been driving at about 80-90 kilometers per hour until reaching the intersection where the crash occurred. He failed to notice the opposing car crossing the junction and collided with it violently.
The opposing vehicle was a white Honda City car that was hit on the middle side of the body, creating a roughly two-meter wide dent. The impact caused the car to lose control and crash into a streetlight pole on the median strip, resulting in multiple passengers inside being injured and killed.
Rescue workers coordinated with the Siam Chiang Rai rescue team to use cutting equipment to free those trapped inside the wreckage before rushing the injured to Somdet Phra Yan Sangwon Wiang Chai Hospital and removing the deceased from the accident scene.
Inspection found that the car was traveling from Ban Ling Kun Chon toward Wiang Chai District, carrying five passengers who were relatives, including elderly people and a 12-year-old girl. After 21:00, the traffic lights at that intersection automatically switched to flashing mode.
Officials initially suspect the pickup truck was speeding and did not slow down at the intersection, leading to a violent collision with the car crossing the junction, causing significant loss.
The deceased were identified as Mr. Uthen, 41, the driver of the car; Mr. Tha, 70; and Mrs. Chanthip, 66, all who died at the scene. Mr. Uthai, 46, died later at the hospital. The critically injured is Miss Sutapat, 12. All were residents of Village 10, Muang Chum Subdistrict, Wiang Chai District, Chiang Rai Province.
Local residents and tow truck operators assisting with vehicle removal said the Ling Kun Chon intersection is a frequent site of serious accidents since the bypass road opened. Over the years, dozens have died in crashes there, including a recent fatal incident just last month.
Residents are calling on authorities to install additional CCTV cameras and consider reinstating the full red-green traffic lights 24 hours a day to reduce risks and prevent future fatalities.
Police said they will promptly review CCTV footage and evidence at the scene thoroughly to determine the true cause and proceed with legal action accordingly.