A tragic accident occurred when a pickup truck carrying relatives back from durian harvesting sped through heavy rain, lost control, spun across lanes, and collided head-on with an elderly couple's pickup truck, resulting in six deaths on the Khao Pip-Khao Thalu road in Chumphon Province. Among the victims was a 2-year-old girl,
At 12:30 GMT+7 on 23 May 2026, Police Lieutenant Sanon Sitthidamrong, deputy investigator of Na Sak Police Station, Sawi District, Chumphon Province, was notified of a multi-fatality vehicle collision with injured persons trapped inside on the Khao Pip-Khao Thalu road, Village No. 13, Na Sak Subdistrict, Sawi District, Chumphon. He reported to superiors and proceeded to the scene with rescue teams from Saichon Rescue, Chumphon Charity Foundation in Khao Thalu and Sawi areas, and Buddhaprateep Rescue Association, Lang Suan.
At the scene, a bronze-gray single-cab Isuzu pickup truck with Bangkok license plates was found heavily damaged, especially on the front left side, with debris scattered on the road. It was parked in the left lane facing the outbound side of Khao Pip. Inside were two injured persons: Mr. Yosawat Rodboonma, 22, from Hat Yai Subdistrict, Lang Suan District, Chumphon, the driver; and Ms. Pimkanok Ruangkhong, 24, his wife, from the same area. Rescue workers used hydraulic cutters to free them; both were seriously injured.
Nearby, another injured person was found: Mr. Sompongsak Ondee, 18, from Bang Maprao Subdistrict, Lang Suan District, Chumphon. He was urgently taken to Sawi Hospital. Additionally, four deceased passengers from the same pickup truck were found scattered around the scene.
The deceased were later identified as: 1. Ms. Sumindra Ruangkhong, 23, from Khao Kai Subdistrict, Sawi District, Chumphon; 2. 2-year-old girl Nalinipa Rodboonma, daughter of driver Mr. Yosawat; 3. Ms. Papawarin Nungtang, 18, from Khao Kai Subdistrict, Sawi District; and 4. Mr. Natchai Rodboonma, 22, from Tha Mapla Subdistrict, Lang Suan District, Chumphon. All suffered broken bones and neck fractures.
The other vehicle was a green Mitsubishi half-cab pickup truck with Chumphon license plates, found overturned in a ditch on the inbound lane to Khao Thalu. Its front was also severely damaged. Inside were two deceased, trapped and identified as Mr. Banjong Yunnan, 65, the driver, and Mrs. Jira Wan Yunnan, 60, from Chong Mai Kaeo Subdistrict, Thung Tako District, Chumphon. Rescue workers used cutters to remove their bodies and sent them to Sawi Hospital. In total, six people died and three were injured in the incident.
Mr. Pha Saenmuang, 43, from Khao Kai Subdistrict, Sawi District, Chumphon, who was driving behind the green pickup, told investigators that he was driving with his father to attend to business at the Khao Pip intersection. When they reached the accident site, it was raining heavily. While following the elderly couple's pickup at a distance, suddenly a high-sided pickup truck driving in the opposite direction lost control, spun, and crashed violently head-on with the elderly couple's vehicle, which shocked him greatly.
Relatives of Mr. Yosawat and witnesses reported that earlier, Mr. Yosawat, his wife, daughter, and four other relatives had helped harvest durian for a relative in the Khao Thalu area. After finishing, they all left with Mr. Yosawat driving, his wife and daughter seated with him, and the other four relatives sitting and standing in the pickup bed.
At the accident site, Mr. Yosawat apparently accelerated through the rain. The road there curves right, and driving at speed caused the vehicle to lose control, spin, and collide with the oncoming vehicle, causing multiple injuries and fatalities.
Police recorded photos at the scene and are awaiting to interview driver Mr. Yosawat again to conclude the investigation and proceed with legal action accordingly.