Four boys were killed, after a pickup truck crossed lanes and struck their motorcycle in Chiang Khan district, Loei, on 14 April 2026. The victims, aged between 13 and 16, were riding together on a single motorcycle while returning from Songkran water celebrations. The crash occurred on the inbound Loei–Chiang Khan road at Ban Na Bon, Na Sao subdistrict, causing immediate fatalities and deep shock in the local community.
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The driver, Wuttichai, 28, sustained a head injury and is being treated at Chiang Khan Hospital. Police reported he was unable to give a statement and appeared disoriented, speaking incoherently. Investigators searching his pickup truck found a drug-use tube near the driver’s seat, which has been collected as evidence, while alcohol and drug test results are still pending.
Witness footage showed the driver exiting the vehicle shirtless after the crash, shouting and running into a nearby house about 50 metres away, claiming he did not know what had happened. Authorities also confirmed it was reported that he had been drinking alcohol with friends before the incident and had agreed to drive to pick up a friend’s wife at Kaeng Khut Khu. No charges have yet been filed as police await full forensic and medical results.
Pictures courtesy of Amarin
The four victims were identified as students and former students of Mahathai Suksa Thabom School. Their bodies were released to their families, who are holding funeral rites according at their homes in Ban Na Bon, Khao Kaew subdistrict. Burial ceremonies are scheduled for Saturday, 18 April 2026, at a Christian cemetery in the village.
Families of the victims expressed grief and anger, with some calling for the harshest possible penalties if the driver is found to have been intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. One mother said she wanted the driver to face life imprisonment or even the death penalty, reflecting the emotional toll of the loss.
The case has intensified concerns over road safety during the Songkran holiday period, when accidents typically increase due to travel and alcohol consumption. Authorities have reiterated warnings about drink-driving and reckless behaviour, especially during festive periods.
Amarin reported that police are continuing evidence collection and forensic analysis, including vehicle examination and toxicology results. Legal proceedings will depend on the outcome of these investigations, with further charges expected if intoxication or drug use is confirmed.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 15 Apr 2026
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