In the sleepy, rain-drenched town of Chon Buri, a tale of survival unfolded amidst a torrent of rain and chaos on July 22, 2025. The protagonist of this dramatic scene was Kiattisak Janthakasem, a 59-year-old truck driver who found himself caught in a catastrophic embrace with fate when his six-wheeler spun out of control and met its match in an unsuspecting electric pole. As the downpour hammered Highway 331, where Sattahip meets Chachoengsao, Kiattisak’s white Hino truck morphed from a reliable road warrior into a twisted mass of metal.
Returning from a rather mundane auto parts delivery, the weather decided to switch from cooperative to challenging in mere moments. The highway, slick and treacherous under the relentless rain, served as an unforgiving adversary. Kiattisak, trapped within the metallic clutches of his truck’s cab, found himself helplessly pinned—a harsh reminder of nature’s unpredictability.
The Pattaya Sawang Boriboon Foundation, with their rescuers donning the capes of heroism, swooped in armed and ready with hydraulic cutting tools. Their mission was clear: free the man ensnared by the mangled beast. Despite sustaining injuries to both legs, Kiattisak received swift first aid at the scene. Once freed, he was whisked away to Pattaya Hospital. From his hospital bed, Kiattisak recounted the slippery details to Pattaya News, saying, “I had just made a delivery and was heading home when everything went south. The rain betrayed me, and before I knew it, the truck was spinning. There was nothing I could do as I watched it crash into the pole.”
The local authorities are diligently piecing together the puzzle—examining whether factors like excessive speed or worn tires shared the blame. Meanwhile, the damage assessment on the battered electric pole and the surrounding infrastructure is underway, adding another task to their investigative roster.
Kiattisak’s ordeal is just one chapter in a grim week for Pattaya, a town where the roads seem to harbor a vendetta against its inhabitants. In the early hours of July 21, 24-year-old Chanaphon Huadsi found herself embroiled in a battle for life after her Honda Zoomer-X motorbike collided with a stationary Toyota Commuter van on Sukhumvit Road. The rear windscreen of the van surrendered upon impact, leaving the now mangled bike embedded in its rear.
Not long afterward, at precisely 6:06 pm, a bronze Honda Jazz cut a destructive path through the lively ambiance of an Isaan restaurant on Soi Nong Yai. The Jazz, having tangoed with a pickup, ploughed through the culinary establishment, leaving a food vendor and a teenage girl nursing injuries amidst the dining chaos. Rescue teams, experts at restoring order, quickly tended to the wounded and sent the wreckage off to its next destination.
Just like a page from a thriller novel, these scenes of mayhem and survival peppered the newsstands, capturing the eyes of those near and far. For those tempted to brave the roads of Pattaya, a cautious heed of the road’s perilous dance seems wiser and wiser with each letter from the past week’s screenplay.
Wow, what a story! It’s a miracle Kiattisak even survived that crash. Roads can be so dangerous, especially in the rain.
Agreed, but I wonder if he was going too fast for the conditions. Sometimes drivers don’t adjust their speed and it ends up in tragedies like this.
That’s true, Annie. But sometimes it’s just sheer bad luck, especially with how unpredictable weather can be.
I’ve driven that route many times. The roads are horrible when it’s wet. Honestly, they need to do better with drainage before blaming drivers.
Tale of survival? More like poor infrastructure! When will the authorities start focusing on preventive measures instead of saving people after the fact?
Exactly! Accidents like these are preventable with better roads. But hey, who cares about that, right?
While infrastructure plays a role, personal responsibility can’t be ignored. Drivers need to be more cautious too.
These roads are indeed treacherous. I’ve seen far too many accidents happen on Highway 331 over the years.
Anyone else find it fishy that all three incidents in Pattaya happened around the same time? Makes you wonder if there’s more to this than just bad luck.
Come on, Sam. Sometimes things just happen. Not everything is a conspiracy!
I think it’s high time we address the elephant in the room: climate change affecting weather patterns. Wet weather incidents are becoming more frequent.
Exactly, Bob! It’s a global issue impacting local stories. Governments need to get serious about it.
Totally agree. Climate change impacts everything and isn’t getting the urgent action it needs.
Glad I’m not the only one who sees it this way! We can’t keep ignoring these warning signs.
Sending thoughts and prayers to all those injured. It’s hard to imagine how terrifying it must have been for Kiattisak.
Kiattisak’s story is a grim reminder of how quickly things can turn. Folks, wear your seatbelts and slow down!
Seatbelts are lifesavers, but they can’t fix bad roads. We need more pressure on the local government to invest in transportation safety.
True, infrastructure improvements are necessary. We can’t rely on just individual caution.
Safety begins with the driver. Blaming the roads or weather deflects from personal accountability. Kiattisak and others should know better.
Randy, have you ever driven a heavy truck in the rain? It’s not as simple as you think. Give the man some credit for surviving!
To Cynthia’s point, until you’ve felt a loaded truck skid under you, it’s hard to understand. There’s a reason truck drivers need specialized training.
Kiattisak really is lucky to still be alive. Wishing him a swift recovery!
Hope he gets the care he needs. It must be tough being away from work, especially after such a traumatic event.
These stories aren’t just about crashes but about community. Look at the rescuers, the bravery and the expertise they showed.
Yes, the community spirit and support are what truly shine here. We have a lot to learn from them.
Kiattisak’s experience seems like a scene from a movie! But it’s reality, and that’s what makes it even more chilling.