Police to confirm Phuket caddy in fatal motorbike crash

PHUKET: Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward who may be able to confirm what occurred in a fatal motorbike accident this afternoon involving a pick-up truck driven by a 22-year-old man.

Sakon Banchongkaeo, 34, was killed in the accident on the Koh Kaew – Nakok road, which is often used as a shortcut from Thepkrasattri Road in Koh Kaew to Patong.

Officers suspect Ms Sakon might have been a caddy at the popular Red Mountain golf course in Kathu, as another caddy passing by said she was quite sure the woman, nicknamed ‘Som’, was a caddy there, said Maj Suchat Meelumpong of the Phuket City Police.

The pick-up truck driver, Rangsiman Chanmanee, told police that he was driving toward Kathu, en route to Patong, at about 2:30pm when a motorbike driven by Phadungsak Sukniran, 24, with Ms Sakon riding pillion, rounded a curve and headed straight for his pick-up.

“They were about 50 meters in front of me when I first saw them,” he told the Phuket Gazette at the scene. “I stopped in time, but the motorbike hit the front right side of the pick-up truck.”

Ms Sakon died instantly. Her body was still half under the pick-up truck when police arrived.

“She was not wearing a helmet,” a visibly shaken Mr Rangsiman noted.

Mr Phadungsak, however, was wearing a helmet. “He seemed okay; he was able to speak. But he was rushed to hospital anyway,” Mr Rangsiman said.

“I got out of the truck straight away to help them. The man tried to say something, but I couldn’t understand him. I don’t know if he is Thai.”

Mr Phadungsak was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital.

At this stage, police believe the pick-up truck had stopped before the crash occurred, as all evidence at the scene indicated such.

“However, unless we can find witnesses who can corroborate this, we will have to charge Mr Rangsiman,” said Maj Suchat.

Police are now questioning Mr Rangsiman at the Phuket City Police Station.

— Saran Mitrarat