One dead as Phuket pickup slams into tree

PHUKET: One man died and another was injured when a pickup truck slammed into a tree in central Phuket early this morning.

Rescue workers and Thalang Police were called to the scene on Srisoontorn Road, about 300 meters from Baan Manik School (map here), at about 2:10am.

The driver, Jaroendham Thepraksa, 25, died instantly in the impact.

The passenger, Montri Boachai, 37, was rushed to Thalang Hospital.

“Before the accident, we went to a party and got drunk in Cherng Talay,” Mr Montri told police.

“We were on our way home. Jaroendham was driving – and he drove fast,” he added.

“He hit the brakes just before the curve, but the rain had only just stopped and the pickup went into a spin and crashed into the tree,” Mr Montri explained.

— Thawit Bilabdullar