Teen dies in motorcycle crash

PHUKET: A teenage boy is dead and one man injured after their motorcycle slammed into a traffic sign near the main intersection north of Thalang town at around 1:15am today.

Somjai Tengsomboon, 18, suffered a head injury and died at Thalang Hospital early this morning.

“The passenger, Sathaporn Wongwai, 35, received minor injuries and confessed that they had both been drinking at Baan Muang Mai before heading out to find another place to drink,” Lt Suporn Muangkhai of the Thalang Police told the Phuket Gazette.

Neither Mr Somjai nor Mr Sathaporn was wearing a helmet.

“I would like to strongly urge people to not drink and drive, as well as to wear a helmet anytime they get on a bike,” Lt Supron urged.

“Keep it on the whole time and not just when you see police. We cannot protect you from yourself.”

At this time Mr Sathaporn will not be charged, as he claims he was the passenger, the policeman added.

— Thawit Bilabdullar