Chinese tourists safe after airport taxi slams into motorcycle, kills man

PHUKET: Two Chinese tourists brought their holiday in Phuket to a close by witnessing one man being killed and another suffering serious injuries in a road accident before dawn this morning.

The tourists were heading to Phuket International Airport when their taxi slammed into a motorcycle at Baan Porn, in Thalang, at about 5am, explained Lt Suporn Muangkhai of the Thalang Police.

“Taxi driver Kiattisak Flamklongkhom, 30, said that he could not avoid the collision after the motorbike the two men were riding swerved across his lane,” the policeman said.

Mr Kiattisak and his passengers escaped injury, and another taxi arrived soon after the accident to take the two tourists to the airport, he added.

Regardless, Mr Kiattisak has been charged with reckless driving causing death, confirmed Lt Suphon.

“We have yet to identify the two men because neither one of them was carrying any ID,” he said. “Nobody in the area knows who they are.

“The injured man cannot give a statement because of his serious injuries. He is now at Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town.”

Police are hoping to identify the two men soon, Lt Suphon added.

— Thawit Bilabdullar