Two dead as ghost-driving pick-up slams head-on into six-wheeler

PHUKET: A ghost-driving pick-up truck driver travelling in the wrong direction on the one-way road leaving the island slammed into a six-wheeled cargo truck early this morning, killing himself and his passenger and injuring two others.

Police were called to the scene at about 4am, where they found a white six-wheeled SuperCheap truck and a demolished pick-up truck on the side of the road near the Sarasin Bridge.

“Both vehicles were badly damaged and crushed together,” said Lt Thanom Thongpan of the Tah Chat Chai Police.

Naruethep Sukphirom, the 29-year-old driver of the six-wheeled truck, sustained minor cuts and scratches and his passenger, Pakkaphan Thongchu, 25, suffered a broken leg in the impact.

“Once we were able to separate the two vehicles, we found the bodies of Suthipong Meesiri, 19, and Sutida Omsomoay, 20, in the pick-up truck,” Lt Thanom told the Phuket Gazette.

The injured motorists and the two bodies were taken to Thalang Hospital, where police questioned Mr Naruethep.

“Ms Pakkaphan and I were on our way to Nakhon Sri Thammarat to pick up vegetables,” he explained.

“We were coming around the curve when the pick-up truck sped toward us head-on. I slammed on the brakes, but couldn’t avoid hitting them.”

Lt Thanom confirmed that relatives of the deceased had been contacted, and that police would help both parties negotiate the damages.

No charges were filed against Mr Naruethep.

— Thawit Bilabdullar