Truck driver attempts suicide after rampage kills taxi rider (video)

A six-wheel truck driver went on a rampage along Rama IV Road in Bangkok, crashing into several cars and killing a motorcycle taxi driver before attempting suicide.

Motorists reported the chaos on Rama IV Road to Tha Rue Police Station at around 2pm, yesterday, September 4. The white Isuzu six-wheel truck was speeding from Maleenont Tower to Phra Khanong Intersection before making a U-turn and collided with several vehicles at a red light at Kluay Nam Thai Intersection.

A motorcycle taxi rider, 39 year old Prawit Markpichai, who was waiting at the red light, was hit by the truck. He was rushed to hospital but later died from his injuries.

Four police officers confronted the driver, later identified as 43 year old Wanlop Nonsung, when the truck stopped at a red light. They ordered Wanlop to get out of the vehicle but he refused to comply.

One officer tried to break the window with a wooden stick, while another, Chaiyachate Pimpan, climbed onto the truck in an attempt to apprehend Wanlop.

Unexpectedly, Wanlop pulled out a knife and slashed Chaiyachate’s arm. As the situation escalated, the other three officers shot the truck’s tyres to prevent Wanlop from escaping the scene.

Despite this, Wanlop managed to flee, abandoning the truck near Bang Nam Chuet Canal in Samut Prakan, about 30 kilometres from Rama IV Road.

Police saw Wanlop jump into the canal, still holding the knife, and swim away. They followed him and found him hiding in a drainage pipe connected to the canal. Due to the knife, officers had to keep their distance.

Officers tried to convince Wanlop to surrender, even contacting his daughter to assist, but he refused. Wanlop then attempted suicide by tightening a rope necklace. Police decided to intervene, taking the risk to stop him and rushing him to hospital.

However, Wanlop was in critical condition and later died in hospital. The motive for his rampage remains unclear, and it has not yet been determined whether he had drugs or alcohol in his system.