An intoxicated Thai driver collided with a motorcycle in Maha Sarakham’s Isaan province, resulting in the death of one person and critical injuries to another. CCTV footage from Channel 7 displayed a black SUV traveling in the wrong direction and crashing into the motorcycle on December 25. The incident caused both the rider, Sakunkarn, a 20-year-old student at Maha Sarakham University, and passenger Sumita, 19, to be thrown off the bike. Sakunkarn died at the scene, while Sumita sustained severe injuries and lost consciousness.
The SUV, driven by a 33-year-old Thai man named Thanawat, was identified near the accident site with three other intoxicated passengers. Witnesses recounted hearing the collision, with one vendor mentioning Sakunkarn’s struggle to speak before passing away, while Sumita cried for assistance. Another observer mentioned that initially, the driver’s male friend disassociated himself from the accident, denying any involvement.
Police officers from Mueang Maha Sarakham Police Station promptly arrived, arrested Thanawat, and confirmed his intoxication beyond the legal limit. He faces charges of reckless driving resulting in death, carrying penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of 200,000 baht, or both, under Section 291 of the Criminal Law.
