Woman injured by falling traffic sign on a Pattaya road

A backhoe digger accidentally pulled down some electric wires and a traffic sign, knocking a woman off her motorcycle while she was riding past the spot, on Jomtien Beach Road in Pattaya.

The incident happened yesterday, January 10, in front of Soi Jomtien 12 on Jomtien Beach Road in the Bang Lamung district of Pattaya. A 46 year old woman named Yenjit Anchuen lay injured on the road by her motorcycle. She suffered serious injuries to her hip and right arm after the traffic sign fell on her but is reported to be safe and under the care of medical professionals.

The traffic sign and pole, about five to six metres tall, fell in the middle of the road nearby the victim. A pickup and a sedan parked near the spot were also hit by the falling sign.

A 55 year old vendor, Somjit Hemaprom, who witnessed the incident, informed the police and rescue team that a backhoe digger that was working about 10 metres away from the scene accidentally pulled down the electric wires.

The electric wires were connected to the traffic sign pole and, as a result, the whole sign was dragged down and struck the woman as she was riding past the spot on her motorcycle.

The Deputy Mayor of Pattaya, Pramote Tabtim, investigated the scene and reported that the backhoe was hired by Pattaya City to improve Jomtien Beach.

Pramote revealed that the construction company, which owned the backhoe, would compensate the victim. He added that they would be charged under Section 360 of the Criminal Law: whoever damages, destroys, or causes depreciation of value to property used or possessed for public benefit shall be punished with imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both.