Late on August 16, the outbound lanes of the Udon Ratthaya Expressway near the Muang Thong Thani entrance in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, turned into a scene of chaos when 11 vehicles collided in a multi-car pileup that has since ignited a storm of speculation online. Photos and reports circulating on social media — and picked up by KhaoSod — show a tangle of crushed metal, shattered glass and frantic bystanders, and many users immediately raised the specter of street racing as the possible cause.
One of the survivors, who was riding in a blue BMW, described the crash as “the most terrifying experience” of their life. According to their account, they were traveling at a normal speed with their partner driving from Chidlom to Rangsit — a familiar route for the couple — when everything changed in an instant.
“We were in the middle lane,” the victim recalled. “The road narrows from three lanes to two near the Muang Thong Thani ramp. Suddenly a high-speed car came up from the right. My partner tried to move left. The other car couldn’t brake in time.”
What followed was a nightmare: the BMW spun three times “like a top,” the victim said. They believe the spin may have been what saved their lives — if the vehicle had not rotated the way it did, they feared it could have plummeted off the bridge.
The image of the aftermath reads like a sequence from an action movie: oil slicking across the asphalt, safety barriers bent and vehicles piled up, each carrying significant damage. When the BMW finally came to rest, the driver — oddly composed despite the shock — immediately checked for injuries. The passenger, terrified and crying, was unable to open the door because of the barrier, and had to crawl out barefoot through the driver’s side as a haze of fear and adrenaline took hold. They moved away from the car quickly, worried it might explode.
In the minutes after the crash, the passenger felt the first physical shocks: a severe headache, neck pain, and the trembling that follows a close brush with death. The driver suffered bruises to the arms, likely from airbag deployment. Both were fortunate to escape with injuries that, while painful, were not life-threatening.
Emergency responders and fellow motorists helped those involved. When a friend arrived, the injured passenger was taken to hospital for checks. The partner remained at the scene to assist with their damaged vehicle. They later reconvened at the police station between 4 and 5 a.m., with the victim staying on until about 6 a.m. while formalities were handled and statements taken.
Social media lit up after the crash. Many commenters expressed worry and offered support; some accused others of reckless driving or even street racing. The couple took to clarifying details amid the swirl of commentary. The victim thanked those who checked in and pushed back at harsh online critics, telling them to “try a similar crash” before passing judgment.
At the time of reporting, police have taken the incident under investigation. Although whispers of racing persist on forums and timelines, officials have not publicly confirmed that street racing was the definitive cause. What is clear is that the collision involved a large number of vehicles and left substantial damage in its wake — a painful reminder of how quickly routine commutes can turn dangerous.
Despite the trauma and the physical aches that linger, the couple have returned to their lives and work. They resumed operations at their jewellery business, offering a small but meaningful sign of normalcy after a night none of them will soon forget. The victim again expressed gratitude for the outpouring of concern and support, and that their story — harrowing as it was — has a hopeful endpoint: both are safe and on the mend.
This episode raises broader questions that many on social media are asking: should authorities do more to patrol high-speed corridors like the Udon Ratthaya Expressway? Are measures like tougher enforcement, better barrier design, or speed-calming engineering needed to prevent similar pileups in the future? For residents and regular commuters on the route, the August 16 crash is a stark prompt to reflect on safety and vigilance behind the wheel.
For now, the investigation continues, and the damaged vehicles are being assessed. The road — and the people who use it — will carry the memory of that night for some time. But amid the wreckage and the worry, there is relief: the two people in the blue BMW walked away alive, and the community that rallied around them has shown how quickly compassion can follow catastrophe. Picture credit: KhaoSod.
This reeks of street racing — eleven cars doesn’t happen by accident on a calm night, somebody was driving like a maniac and took others with them.
Not every crash is street racing; narrow lanes + inattentive drivers + tailgating stack like dominos, but sure, blaming racers is the easy clickbait.
Easy for you to say from behind a keyboard, MotorFan88 — I commute that route daily and I’ve seen people hoon past at night all the time.
The photos show barrier damage and oil everywhere; that pattern is consistent with a high-speed impact, not just a fender-bender.
Crash causality requires formal investigation; however, lane reduction points are high-risk and are often underestimated in traffic models and enforcement strategies.
I get the nuance, Dr. Patel, but when dozens of witnesses online immediately say ‘racing’, it usually isn’t baseless — people notice speed and reckless lines.
So grateful they survived, but this whole online shaming of victims is disgusting; people are allowed to be shaken and confused after trauma.
Victims shouldn’t be harassed, but if racing caused it, anger is natural — we shouldn’t act like accountability is ‘shaming’.
Accountability is fine, Pim, but people were telling them to ‘try a similar crash’ instead of offering facts or help and that’s cruel.
Police ask for patience while the investigation completes; online claims can hinder witness statements and evidence collection.
Why are we still using flimsy barriers on elevated expressways? Better barrier design could have prevented cars from swinging off the bridge.
Absolutely — containment rails, energy-absorbing barriers, and properly engineered transitions at lane drops reduce run-off incidents significantly.
Thanks, Dr. Patel. It feels like authorities only upgrade after someone dies, not before.
Upgrades cost money but save lives; local commutes are too expensive in human terms to ignore engineering fixes.
I’ve seen kids in souped-up cars drag-racing near Muang Thong Thani at night — until they enforce the law honestly this will repeat.
If that’s true, why hasn’t someone filmed and reported them to the police? Social media evidence exists for many things now.
Because the police barely respond at 2 a.m., Mai. People are scared to intervene and footage means nothing unless action follows.
As someone who was inches from being hit, I can confirm: you can see them speed and weave; it’s terrifying.
More patrols and speed cameras clear up almost every problem like this. Enforcement, not finger-pointing, will prevent pileups.
We are proposing more mobile radar units and targeted night patrols on high-risk stretches, but budget cycles and approvals slow implementation.
Then fast-track it. People are dying or being permanently injured while committees talk.
Cameras help but you also need driver education and strict penalties; a multi-pronged approach reduces recidivism.
Every time a BMW is involved everyone’s like ‘survivors’ — some of those cars are built to spin and take hits, brands matter in outcomes.
Car brand might change crumple zones, but physics and seatbelt/airbag usage explain survivability more than the badge on the hood.
Fair point, but vehicle safety ratings and structural integrity do influence injuries; it’s not just brand worship.
This sounds like elitism: saying brand saved them is weird when so many factors are involved.
Install automatic speed cameras at the lane reduction zone and issue fines by mail; slash the human variability in enforcement.
Cameras reduce incidents but don’t teach drivers to be considerate; signage plus cameras works better than cameras alone.
Agree that education must accompany tech — fines alone breed resentment and evasion.
I was the passenger — crawling out barefoot with my head pounding changed everything for me; social media helped find support but also hurt with accusations.
Thank you for sharing, Bee. People are too quick to judge online, forget real humans are involved.
Thanks Pim, the outpouring of support was what kept me calm after the initial panic.
This looks like organized nighttime racing crews; they pick specific stretches to terrorize commuters, someone should infiltrate and expose them.
Conspiratorial. Most dangerous behavior is opportunistic, not organized. Claiming ‘crews’ without proof fuels moral panic.
From an epidemiological standpoint, whether opportunistic or organized, interventions target behaviors and hotspots rather than suspects’ organization.
I get that, but when you see the same license plates and times repeat, it feels organized to locals.
Just glad they lived. Car accidents are scary and this one could have been much worse.
Online piling-on of the victims is the worst part — people forget trauma and immediate facts aren’t the same as guilt.
But if they were part of racing, Mai, people have a right to be furious. The nuance is hard on social media, I know.
I just hope we can be kinder until the police release facts; public shaming stokes more harm than good.
From emergency response perspective: fast bystander aid and our rapid dispatch minimized casualties; investigation into cause is ongoing.
We appreciate the response, Officer, but prevention is as important as reaction. Can you share timeline for patrol increases?
We are coordinating with transport authorities to assess risk points and consider increased night patrols pending budget approval.
The lane drop where the road goes from three to two lanes is a textbook congestion and collision point; signage and taper length need review.
I drive that strip every day; the taper is abrupt and people jockey for position, especially near the ramp — it’s a recipe for collisions.
Exactly, Driver77 — modifying the taper, adding rumble strips and advance warning can slow drivers before the merge.
I was stuck in that jam the morning after; cars were still being towed and everyone was shaken. We need real fixes not hot takes.