Helmet-less motorbike rider in head-on collision dies instantly

PHUKET: A woman was killed in Phuket early this morning after the motorbike she was riding hit a pick-up truck head-on.

“We were called to the scene on Patak Road in Kata in front of a Siam Commercial Bank at about 3:30am,” confirmed Lt Channarong Prakongkeua of the Karon Police.

“There we found the body of Kodchaporn Kongruang, 32, from Trat province. She was not wearing a helmet and likely died instantly.”

The pick-up truck driver, named by police only as Mr Arthid, 33, told officers he was heading toward Karon from Chalong when he collided with Ms Kodchaporn’s Honda motorcycle, Lt Channarong said.

“Mr Arthid claimed Ms Kodchaporn had been driving toward him from the opposite direction when she suddenly made a right turn in front of him and cut across his path,” he said.

Police declined to reveal Mr Arthid’s full name pending further investigation and possible charges against him.

He was taken to the Karon Police Station for further questioning, added Lt Channarong.

Ms Kodchaporn’s body was delivered to the Vachira Phuket Hospital morgue.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong