In an unexpected turn of events yesterday, chaos erupted outside Phuket International Airport’s bustling international arrivals terminal when a van, throttled by a stuck accelerator, initiated a four-way taxi pileup. The incident, occurring around 12:50 PM on May 19th, unleashed a spectacularly unintended display of vehicular dominoes that left onlookers wide-eyed, but remarkably, without injuries.
As the renowned Toyota Commuter van—with its trademark yellow Phuket taxi plates—set forth from its spot near Gate 2, an unexpected acceleration startled passengers and bystanders alike. Eyewitnesses watched in disbelief as the van, seemingly ensnared by its own pedal, rocketed beyond the parking zone without pause. According to local police in Sakhu, the bewildered driver, Somsak Khachatpai, attributed the van’s forward surge to a jammed accelerator pedal. “I couldn’t stop it,” he recounted desperately to the authorities, “The pedal jammed and the van just kept going.”
The incident gained momentum as the van collided with the rear of an MG vehicle, propelling it into a Toyota Fortuner. This unintended domino effect continued as the Fortuner then nudged forward, crashing into a white commercial van staged ahead. Curiously, all implicated vehicles were operating as taxis, poised for an afternoon of welcoming throngs of tourists emerging from their flights.
Following the chaotic scenes, the taxi drivers—Sahachai Chaiyareuk (MG), Phuwanai Kaewpradit (Fortuner), and Sarayut Chitnawee (white van)—met the unfolding drama with professionalism and remained at the scene. They collaborated fully with the police and insurance agents present, initiating a series of discussions to remedy and compensate for the damages incurred. Online dashcam footage instantly circled the social media realm, capturing the van’s sprint towards the terminal, slamming into a distinguished green-plated taxi, and the subsequent chain reaction of collisions, as reported by The Phuket News.
Local authorities confirmed that all involved parties promptly reached an amicable preliminary compensation agreement. This episode, though resulting in minor airport delays and a whirl of commotion outside one of Thailand’s prime tourist enclaves, mercifully avoided injury to travelers and airport staff alike. Officials on site have recorded the incident’s details and have assured a comprehensive investigation into the runaway sequence is underway.
Meanwhile, over in Bangkok, yet another adrenaline-fueled incident unfolded as police engaged in a thrilling car chase. This high-speed pursuit climaxed with a pickup truck colliding with multiple vehicles as it fled down Theparak Road near a PTT petrol station in the Anusawari subdistrict, Bang Khen district. Shrouded in dense black smoke and recklessly weaving through traffic, the truck drew attention before its driver was eventually apprehended by law enforcement.
Thailand’s recent spate of vehicular mishaps continues to highlight the unpredictable nature of urban travel while emphasizing the need for continuous vigilance and safety improvements across the board. Whether steering through narrow Bangkok lanes or the bustling gateways of Phuket, the unexpected is always lurking just around the corner, waiting to put one’s nerves and reflexes to the test.
Accidents like this make me wonder why more vehicles don’t have automatic systems to stop in emergency situations. Could’ve prevented a lot of chaos!
Automatic systems fail too. We can’t rely entirely on technology. Humans need to be careful.
True, Ben. But what if such systems were more advanced? It could bolster safety when manual control fails.
Exactly, Ashley! With neural network tech improving, we could have more reliable safeguards. Just a matter of time.
That’s scary! I think drivers need frequent training to handle unforeseen situations better.
I was there and saw everything! It was like a scene from an action movie, just without the explosions.
Wow, must have been intense! It’s amazing no one got hurt.
Definitely! Everyone was shocked but relieved at the same time.
Phuket needs better infrastructure and protocols for these situations. Relying on luck alone is not a strategy.
Isn’t it worrying that the incident gained so much social media attention? Sometimes sharing these videos can lead to more reckless behavior.
Julie, I disagree. These videos can be wake-up calls. They remind people of the risks on the road.
Perhaps, but they also risk sensationalizing and trivializing serious issues.
Why do people always blame the driver? Mechanical failures happen, and sometimes it’s just beyond their control.
True, blame isn’t always fair. But regular vehicle checks could prevent some malfunctions.
Agreed, SafetyFirst. Routine maintenance is essential, especially for public service vehicles.
Lucky no one was injured, but these incidents highlight the unpredictability of travel. Airports should have stricter safety measures.
How do we know the compensation agreement was fair? Insurance companies are notorious for lowballing payouts.
If all parties agreed, it was probably the best they could get under the circumstances.
I love how someone mentioned the Bangkok chase at the end. Cars going out of control seems to be the theme.
Right? It’s like life imitates Fast & Furious, just much scarier in real life.
Exactly, BangkokBiker. Reality is way more nerve-wracking than any movie!
This incident makes me rethink how we handle tech in our lives. Too much reliance without safety nets can lead to disaster.
Sophie, that’s a fair point. Balance is crucial. Too much tech reliance without appropriate checks can indeed be dangerous.
When are we going to shift away from fossil-fueled taxis? Could electric vans have avoided this?