Phuket Police on lookout for three drivers in two fatal hit-and-runs

PHUKET: Chalong Police are looking for the drivers of three vehicles involved in two separate hit-and-runs on Thursday night.

Just after midnight yesterday morning, police received a report that a man had died in a road accident near the entrance to Soi Pratana on Chao Fa West Road in Chalong (map here).

Chalong Police investigator Wuttiwat Liangboonjinda identified the victim as 30-year-old Somsak Faipim.

“Witnesses said Mr Somsak was riding his motorbike and was hit by a van. He fell off his bike and was run over by a pickup truck that was following the van at high speed,” Lt Wuttiwat told the Phuket Gazette.

“Neither the van nor the pickup truck driver stopped,” he added.

Hours earlier, a 14-year-old boy was knocked off his motorbike and run over by a 10-wheeled truck near the Taweesaman Market in Rawai (map here).

“The accident happened at 7:30pm,” said Lt Wuttiwat. “We arrived to find the body of a 14-year-old Burmese boy named Tui lying on the road. Witnesses told police the truck driver fled the scene.

“We are now seeking the drivers in both hit-and-runs,” he added.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact Chalong Police Station at 076-381930.

— Orawin Narabal