A village headman in Kamphaeng Phet has been charged after a pick-up truck crash on 10 August killed two teenagers, including a 14-year-old girl. The provincial governor has ordered a serious disciplinary investigation and the official has left his post.
The collision occurred at about 8.10pm on the Pa Phutsa-Saen To road and bridge in Saen To, Khanu Woralaksaburi district.
Police said the driver, 45-year-old Suphat, was driving a Mitsubishi Titan pick-up when it first clipped a grey Nissan Navara, driven by a 40-year-old man from Phichit, near a 7-Eleven store. The Mitsubishi then continued across the bridge and struck a Honda Wave motorcycle before hitting a roadside electricity pole, before coming to a stop.
Two teenagers died after motorcycle collision
The 14-year-old motorcycle rider, from Khong Phai in Kamphaeng Phet, died at the scene. Her left arm was severed and she suffered severe injuries.
A 19-year-old male passenger from Pa Phutsa was taken to hospital by rescue workers but later died. The two had left home to travel to the Khanu Woralaksaburi Learning Encouragement Centre before joining an educational trip to Suphan Buri province.
CCTV footage reportedly shows the Mitsubishi leaving a village headman and kamnan event at 8.06pm, turning back across the bridge and clipping the oncoming Navara. It then accelerated onto the bridge, where it hit the motorcycle and a power pole, narrowly missing a noodle shop.
Witnesses said the driver appeared intoxicated and was incoherent after the crash. However, police said blood-alcohol test results are still pending.
Families ask police for a fair investigation
The families of both victims have appealed for justice, saying they fear their cases may not be handled fairly because the driver was a local village headman. They said the families were struggling financially with funeral costs.
The grandmother of the 19-year-old said the other side had provided 10,000 baht towards the funeral. She urged police to conduct the investigation directly and fairly.
Police at Khanu Woralaksaburi station have filed three charges: reckless driving causing death; driving in a manner causing damage to people or property; and failing to stop, provide assistance, identify himself and promptly report the crash.
Picture courtesy of Khaosod
Police initially did not grant bail and sent the suspect for remand at Kamphaeng Phet Provincial Court. He was later released on bail and declined to speak to reporters.
Governor orders disciplinary action
On 12 August, Kamphaeng Phet governor Chatip Rujanaseri ordered a committee to investigate serious disciplinary misconduct.
Khanu Woralaksaburi district chief Sane Chaimongkol was instructed to suspend the village headman's duties immediately. The district chief then ordered him to resign, with a new village headman to be elected for the vacant post.
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13 August 2026
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