Motorcyclist dies in collision on “shortcut’ to Phuket Airport

PHUKET: A woman remains in hospital after a fatal car accident left one motorbike rider dead on the road running parallel to the runway at Phuket International Airport yesterday afternoon.

Officers were called to the scene at 5:15pm, confirmed Lt Col Sarit Butnongsang of the Tah Chat Chai Police.

“We arrived at the scene to find a Honda Wave motorcycle on the road with the body of a man lying nearby. He was later identified as Kasem Somsila, 68, from Nakhon Sri Thammarat,” he told the Phuket Gazette.

Buried in the undergrowth across the road was a Toyota Corolla Altis.

“When we arrived, the driver of the car, Patcharanutch Nampan, 27, had already been taken to Thalang Hospital,” said Col Sarit.

Rescue workers later transported Mr Kasem’s body to Thalang Hospital, he added.

No helmet was found at the scene.

“Witnesses in a car following Ms Patcharanutch’s vehicle heading toward the airport, said they saw her overtake another car in front, while Mr Kasem was heading in the opposite direction,” Col Sarit explained.

“Ms Patcharanutch apparently tried to swerve to avoid the collision, but rammed the roadside barrier. Her front-right wheel was ripped off in the impact and she lost control of her car.

“She collided with Mr Kasem’s motorcycle, before her car spun off the road.”

As there are no CCTV cameras along the road, police must rely on witness testimonies to conclude their investigation, Col Sarit explained.

“We must wait until Ms Patcharanutch is well enough to answer our questions,” he said.

Ms Patcharanutch remains at Bangkok Hospital Phuket, where she is recovering from chest pains.

— Thawit Bilabdullar