Early-morning speed ended in tragedy: A 26-year-old motorcyclist died after a high-speed collision with the rear of a 20-wheel truck in Pathum Thani on the morning of August 16. The crash, which occurred around 5:30 a.m. in Ban Klang, Mueang district, left rescuers and investigating officers piecing together the final moments of a ride that ended far sooner than anyone expected.
The scene and the shock
Police Major Parada Tantirungarun of Suan Phrik Thai Police Station, forensic officers from the Ministry of Justice, and volunteers from the Ruam Katanyu Foundation rushed to the scene after reports of a severe collision. They found the rider, identified only as 26-year-old Chaiphisit, lying dead on the asphalt. Nearby, his modified white Honda — notably missing a licence plate — was discovered roughly 150 metres from his body. The motorcycle’s speedometer was reportedly stuck at 140, a chilling detail that underlines how fast events unfolded.
The rear of the 20-wheel Hino truck bore only minor damage, and its 48-year-old driver, identified as Saksing, was uninjured. According to Saksing, he had been hauling a load of stones from Saraburi to Nonthaburi when a sudden, violent crash jolted his vehicle. He pulled over to inspect the disturbance and discovered the wreckage of the motorcycle and the rider on the road behind him.
Investigation under way
Authorities questioned Saksing at the scene and are now reviewing nearby CCTV footage to pin down what happened in the final seconds before impact. Investigators are examining several key factors: the motorcycle’s speed and condition, the truck’s movements, visibility and road conditions at 5:30 a.m., and whether any evasive action was possible. The victim’s body was transferred to the Ministry of Justice forensic unit, and officials will notify his family to arrange religious rites, according to KhaoSod.
When a vehicle’s speedometer is “stuck” — as was reported for Chaiphisit’s Honda — it often becomes a focal point for investigators trying to determine pre-crash speed. While the detail is alarming, police are cautious not to draw premature conclusions until technical examinations and CCTV analysis are complete.
High speeds, hard consequences
This crash is another grim reminder of how quickly a moment of speed can turn fatal. Early-morning and late-night hours are often riskier for motorcyclists: reduced visibility, fatigue, and a false perception of empty roads can encourage dangerous speeds. Added to that, vehicle size disparities — such as those between a motorcycle and a 20-wheel truck — mean collisions are usually catastrophic for the smaller party.
Local rescue volunteers and forensic teams worked methodically amid the somber scene, gathering evidence and supporting the family notification process. The community response — from emergency services to the family members who will soon make funeral arrangements — reflects the ripple effects such tragedies have across neighborhoods.
A separate discovery: skeleton found near Phitsanulok ravine
In a separate, unsettling development earlier this month, rescue crews in Phitsanulok made a macabre discovery while tending to a truck driver who had crashed into a ravine on August 6. Emergency teams stumbled upon an MG hatchback hidden in heavy vegetation about 20 metres from the truck crash site. Inside the burned-out vehicle was a human skeleton.
Investigators are working to confirm the identity of the remains and determine whether foul play was involved. Preliminary police belief is that the hatchback may have fallen into the ravine and subsequently caught fire, killing the occupants — but officials stress that inquiries are ongoing and conclusions remain provisional.
What next?
Both incidents are under formal investigation. In Pathum Thani, police will rely on CCTV, witness statements, vehicle examinations, and forensic reports to assemble the timeline. In Phitsanulok, forensic teams and criminal investigators will try to establish identity and cause of death for the skeleton found in the hatchback.
For the public, these stories are a sober call to action: observe speed limits, wear protective gear, and remain vigilant on the road — especially when sharing it with large commercial vehicles. For those in the communities affected, condolences and support for the grieving family of Chaiphisit and anyone touched by the Phitsanulok discovery will be essential in the days ahead.
Photo via KhaoSod. Reported by KhaoSod.
This is heartbreaking, but honestly if your speedometer is stuck at 140 you were asking for it. Nobody should be riding like that on public roads.
Easy to say from the sidelines, but what if the truck driver was inattentive or braked suddenly? Big vehicles need to be more responsible too.
There’s room for both: reckless speed and truck blind spots are both problems. Victim-blaming doesn’t solve structural safety issues.
I get that, but most crashes at those speeds are survivable only for the truck. The culture of risky riding at dawn needs tougher enforcement.
We should wait for CCTV and forensic reports before piling on. Speedometers can be misleading after a crash and don’t tell the whole story.
CCTV might show approach speed and lane position though; modern cameras can be pretty conclusive if preserved quickly.
Exactly, that’s why investigators are doing the right thing. Jumping to conclusions helps no one and hurts families.
As a trucker I know how terrifying it is when a bike comes up on the rear. Even small bumps can hide fatal damage; drivers need to check mirrors more often.
Truck drivers already have huge blind spots, but riders weaving between lanes at high speeds are asking for disaster too.
Why is there never enough safe infrastructure for bikes? Putting blame only on riders ignores road design and enforcement failures.
I’ve driven those routes; lighting is poor and reflectors are sometimes missing. It’s not all on the riders.
Both perspectives point to a systemic problem: poor lighting, lack of separated lanes, and variable enforcement create these tragedies.
We need better data collection. How many early-morning motorcycle fatalities happen on that stretch? Without numbers policy stays reactive.
From a forensic standpoint, a stuck speedometer is suggestive but not definitive. Crash reconstruction must account for spawn marks, deformation, and residue.
So you mean the 140 reading could be false after impact? People will latch onto that number regardless.
Yes, impact forces can freeze mechanical indicators. Proper scene photography and lab tests are essential before publishing conclusions.
Then why did the news even mention it so prominently? Sensationalism over careful science, as usual.
Another angle: economic pressure. Young riders often modify bikes for speed because they can’t access safer recreational outlets. Criminalizing them won’t fix that.
True, but public safety laws exist for a reason. There should be targeted programs offering safe track days or low-cost safety checks.
Exactly — prevention through opportunity, not just fines.
I drive that route to work and the lighting at 5:30 a.m. is terrible. Combine that with fatigue and any small mistake becomes deadly.
Then why hasn’t the community demanded better lighting? Complaints are one thing; civic action is another.
Because budgets are tight and officials prioritize other projects. People die while waiting for bureaucracy to move.
I’m suspicious of the almost intact truck rear. If damage is minor, did the chaos include tampering or delayed discovery? CCTV review is crucial.
This piece puts more weight on the rider’s behavior than on systemic change. Feels like blaming the victim to preserve the status quo.
As a trucker, I don’t appreciate blanket ‘victim-blaming’ claims. Responsibility can be shared and still assign blame where appropriate.
Sharing responsibility shouldn’t let unsafe companies or authorities off the hook for infrastructure and regulation failures.
Why are 20-wheel trucks even allowed on smaller arterial roads at dawn? Maybe routing restrictions could reduce these encounters.
Routing is often set by logistics needs; banning heavy vehicles would shift costs and cause economic ripple effects that planners resist.
Costs shouldn’t be measured only in money when people are dying. Time to reprioritize human life over convenience.
Agreed on human life, but policy changes require evidence and stakeholder negotiation. Campaigners need to push the data.
CCTV integrity matters: footage can be overwritten quickly. The investigators must secure and timestamp evidence immediately to avoid contamination.
Too often cameras are offline or low-res. Investing in reliable public surveillance is expensive but necessary for justice and prevention.
I grew up in that district; families are devastated when funerals are rushed and community support is minimal. Media should focus on grieving families too.
Good point — reporting often emphasizes spectacle over the human costs. Follow-up on family support would be compassionate journalism.
That skeleton discovery in Phitsanulok is chilling. Two separate tragedies in one article feels like sensational packaging rather than coherent reporting.
People will come up with conspiracy theories about the skeleton and truck crash. Social media will be a mess; authorities need transparent updates.
Transparency is essential, but so is protecting the integrity of investigations. Releasing raw data too early can mislead public opinion.
Why are so many young riders modifying bikes illegally? There should be stronger community education starting in schools about road risks.
I’m only in 6th grade but I think speed is dumb. I saw a crash once and it was scary; people should slow down.
This story underscores inequality: those who rely on cheap motorcycles for work are most exposed. Policy should include safer transport options.
Back in my day people respected the road more. Now kids are into speed culture and social media flexing, and it costs lives.
We need multidisciplinary solutions: traffic engineering, enforcement, public health campaigns, and affordable alternatives to modified bikes.
Why do we keep treating motorcyclists as expendable? Seatbelt laws are universal but helmet culture and enforcement vary widely.
Naming a victim only by first name without context feels dehumanizing. Reporters should include more about who he was beyond the crash.
I worry about rush-hour narratives ignoring rural road realities. Enforcement in cities is different than on provincial routes like Pathum Thani.
From my experience, drivers like Saksing cooperate when shocked, but we still need to check driving logs and rest times to rule out driver fatigue.
We should teach hazard perception in driving classes, not just rules. Recognizing risk at dawn and night could save lives.
OP here — thanks for the responses. I will push for better lighting and more roadside reflectors where I can influence local policy.