Second Phuket hit-and-run killing in a week

PHUKET: A Phuket mechanic was killed instantly last night when his motorbike collided with a pickup truck, the driver of which sped off without stopping.

The accident occurred at about 11:30pm on Route 4027, the main road to Pa Khlok from the Heroines’ Monument.

At the scene, about one kilometer east of the monument, police and Kusoldharm
Foundation rescue workers found the body of 49-year-old Somchai Chomerak lying in the middle of the road.

Mr Somchai, who was not wearing a helmet, suffered massive head trauma, a broken neck and multiple broken limbs.

His crumpled motorbike was found about 30 meters from the body.

Witnesses said the victim was hit by a pickup truck, but none were able to provide police with the make, color or license plate number of the vehicle.

An initial investigation by Thalang Police revealed that Mr Somchai was returning to his home in Srisoonthorn sub-district after taking care of some personal business on Soi Ban Bangla, not far from the accident scene.

The accident follows by just three days a similar hit-and-run killing in Cherng Talay, where a security guard was struck down by a pickup near the Laguna resort complex.

— Wichai Witthaya