Artist dies in head-on smash

PHUKET: Well-known Rawai-based artist Jirasak Patanapong, 45, died of severe head injuries after being involved in a head-on collision on Chao Fa Nai Rd at about 10 pm on Friday. Two other people were injured in the accident. Tawin Tongpeng today told the Gazette that he was driving his pick-up truck to his home behind Wat Thepnimit after picking up his daughter, Patarawal, 25, from work at the Marina Cottage Resort in Kata. He said that K. Jirasak, who was driving his car in the opposite direction, overtook another car, colliding with K. Tawin about 30 meters from the Tanglak restaurant. “I swerved to avoid Jirasak’s car, but I was too late,” said K. Tawin. “My windscreen shattered on impact, spraying Patarawal’s face with shards of glass and blinding her. “I was only slightly injured but my daughter was injured badly. She was crying and telling me that she couldn’t see,” he said. Kusornlatham Foundation volunteers arrived at the scene about 20 minutes after the accident and took all three to Wachira Phuket Hospital, where K. Jirasak was pronounced dead on arrival. K. Patarawal has been flown to Bangkok where she will undergo surgery in an attempt to save her eyesight. K. Jirasak, who was from Bangkok, is survived by his father and two younger sisters. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at his funeral service, which will be held at Wat Chalong at midday on Wednesday. Meanwhile, it has been announced that works by K. Jirasak will be put up for sale at the Art & Culture – Gallery in Rawai, on December 16 to raise funds for indigent art students. Viewing of the works will be from 5:30 pm, with the sale beginning an hour later.