Malaysian biker dies en route to Phuket Bike Week

PHUKET: A Malaysian biker died in a road accident in Phattalung yesterday afternoon while riding to Phuket to join Phuket Bike Week.

Lt Boonthip Wunfai of the Khao Chaison Police told the Phuket Gazette this morning that the accident occurred on Petchkasem Road, the main highway from the southern Thai border to Bangkok, at about 2:30pm.

Officers and rescue workers rushed to the scene, a curve on the highway about 15 kilometers south of Phatthalung Town (map here).

“We arrived to find Hasal Muhammad Bin Yunus, 45 years old, from Malaysia, dead on the road. About 40 meters from his body, we found his wrecked Harley-Davidson motorbike,” Lt Boonthip added.

Mr Hasal was riding in a convoy of 18 Harley-Davidson bikers from Malaysia, all en route to join Phuket Bike Week, which began on April 14.

“They were riding quite fast as the road was empty. Mr Hasal lost control of his motorbike as he arrived at the curve,” Lt Boonthip said.

“His bike slammed into a roadside post and he was thrown off the bike. Mr Hasal was not wearing a helmet and his head hit the road. He died at the scene,” he added.

— Orawin Narabal