Nan Pickup Crash Kills 8, Including Children, at Huai Yen Curve

19 people ! Say no more

I thought they changed the law about 2 year ago to limit the amount of people allowed in the back of trucks 🤔

On 4/19/2026 at 9:22 AM, Georgealbert said:

Eight people, including children have died and 11 others were injured after a pickup truck driver lost control and crashed off the road at the Huai Yen curve in Nan province. The crash occurred at 17:55 on 18 April 2026 on Highway 1256, on the Pua to Doi Phu Kha National Park to Bo Kluea route, at kilometre 8+700. Authorities believe the vehicle entered the curve at speed and the driver was unable to maintain control.

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Police at Pua station, led by Pol. Lt. Col. Sanit Chaiwan, were alerted by the Nan 191 radio centre and rushed to the scene. The crash took place on a bend between Ban Na Lae and Ban Mon in Woranakhon subdistrict, Pua district. Emergency services, including rescue teams from Pua Crown Prince Hospital and multiple local administrative organisations, were deployed to assist.

A total of 19 people were travelling in the vehicle. At the scene, 14 people were found injured and five were pronounced dead immediately. Rescue workers provided first aid before urgently transporting the injured to Pua Crown Prince Hospital.

Authorities later confirmed that three more victims died at the hospital, bringing the total death toll to eight. Local schools issued statements of condolence for several of the victims, including students. Pa Klang Secondary School expressed sympathy over the death of Miss Nanticha Phanasan, while Saharat Bamrung School mourned the loss of three primary school pupils: Naphat Chaiya, Waranya Phanasan and Worawat Phanasan.

Initial investigations suggest the crash may have been caused by excessive speed while navigating the curve, combined with road conditions and visibility factors. However, officers stated that a full investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause.

The incident has drawn attention to the dangers of the mountainous route, particularly at sharp curves such as Huai Yen. Authorities are expected to assess safety measures and road conditions in the area as part of the investigation.

Komchadluek reported that officials will continue gathering evidence and witness statements to establish the sequence of events. Further updates are expected once the investigation is complete and authorities confirm the definitive cause of the crash.

Pictures courtesy of Komchadluek

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Komchadluek 19 Apr 2026

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The law should prohibit anyone travelling in the back of a pick up, or at least children.

3 minutes ago, Older and Wiser said:

The law should prohibit anyone travelling in the back of a pick up, or at least children.

They tried to do this, but it didn't prove practical.

4 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

They tried to do this, but it didn't prove practical.

I thought that......just checked with my mate AI..........the Thai "law"..........

• All passengers in a vehicle must wear seatbelts.
  

• Pickup trucks are usually registered as "private cargo vehicles" (with green license plate lettering) or "private passenger vehicles" (with black lettering). Carrying people in the back of a cargo-registered truck is a violation of its registered use.

Really sad beyond words. Naturally the driver should be charged with multiple manslaughter. But that is a feel good answer. The real answer is start charging people for reckless driving on the roads, but dont see this ever happening.

On 4/19/2026 at 10:00 AM, brewsterbudgen said:

I don't think the law applies at Songkran!

Assuming that you can read, the date was April 18, Songkran was over.

20 hours ago, WHansen said:

Shaking my head in disbelief at this one.

RIP to the many victims.

My feelings too- 19 in one vehicle, a driver in a hurry and a mountainous road- seems like a tragedy waiting to happen

RIP to all those affected by this avoidable tragedy

3 minutes ago, praguecr said:

Really sad beyond words. Naturally the driver should be charged with multiple manslaughter. But that is a feel good answer. The real answer is start charging people for reckless driving on the roads, but dont see this ever happening.

No, some things don't change. This would be relatively easy to deal with. Station police or even a police box at dangerous intersections to let their presence be known, and to hand out stiff fines. Put in a police box and you don't even have to man it 24/7. Set up a police presence in any way that is practical. Park an empty police car. In the US police cars have been parked with mannikins inside. But such reckless driving seems to be an accepted element of Thai culture. Can the Thai people themselves stand up and let their outrage be heard? Or do they timidly accept this as a reality they can't fight? The poor kids though. Adults can suffer consequences as adults. Children are purely innocent and have no choice, no voice.

On 4/19/2026 at 8:30 AM, Artisi said:

What ever happened to the law regarding the max number of people in the back of a pickup, oops!, I forgot that was introduced sometime back and now completely forgotten.

However it doesn't matter as it was probably brake failure that was the cause any way.

What ever happend to the law prohibiting people riding on the back of pickups unless it was fitted with seats (songtel style)

3 minutes ago, jwl53 said:

What ever happend to the law prohibiting people riding on the back of pickups unless it was fitted with seats (songtel style)

Read the thread, question already answered.

It's a lovely road to drive, but if your vehicle is overweight, you're asking for trouble. I've also been in the back of a pick up like this from the camp to one of the viewpoints. The vehicle was fine with 6 of us standing in the back, but come on, 19!

Not far from my wife's homestay. She's has had a non-Thai guest crash on the same bend from loss of brakes.

On 4/19/2026 at 9:53 AM, karonbeach said:

19 peoples in a pickup truck,overload and very unstable to drive,stupid peoples,very sad for familys,but who care,it is songkran

Not even really 5 look at the pictures these were kids in a vehicle driven by an idiot that did not care about them

What really is the point in authorities working to establish a "definitive " reason/cause for this tragedy ?

Everyone knows the likely reasons which caused this horrific accident .(if can even be classified as an "accident "???)

Their completed report, produced after hours in a comfy air conditioned office, will be used only for statistical purposes.

Nothing in their definitive findings will be later used for any tangible, worthwhile, beneficial purposes.

21 hours ago, Slowhand225 said:

Wait, aren't you guys still blaming Songkran ?

Disgusting and stupid comment.

On 4/19/2026 at 8:30 AM, Artisi said:

What ever happened to the law regarding the max number of people in the back of a pickup, oops!, I forgot that was introduced sometime back and now completely forgotten.

However it doesn't matter as it was probably brake failure that was the cause any way.

On 4/19/2026 at 8:30 AM, Artisi said:

What ever happened to the law regarding the max number of people in the back of a pickup, oops!, I forgot that was introduced sometime back and now completely forgotten.

However it doesn't matter as it was probably brake failure that was the cause any way.

On 4/19/2026 at 8:30 AM, Artisi said:

What ever happened to the law regarding the max number of people in the back of a pickup, oops!, I forgot that was introduced sometime back and now completely forgotten.

However it doesn't matter as it was probably brake failure that was the cause any way.

What happened to this law, surely it makes it illegal to ride in a pick up truck?

Wearing a seatbelt is mandatory for all occupants in a vehicle in

Thailand including rear-seat passengers. As of late 2022, regulations were strengthened to enforce seatbelt use in all seating positions to improve road safety, with violators facing fines up to 2,000 Baht. 

3 minutes ago, Jumbo1968 said:

What happened to this law, surely it makes it illegal to ride in a pick up truck?

Wearing a seatbelt is mandatory for all occupants in a vehicle in

Thailand including rear-seat passengers. As of late 2022, regulations were strengthened to enforce seatbelt use in all seating positions to improve road safety, with violators facing fines up to 2,000 Baht. 

“The incident has drawn attention to the dangers of the mountainous route, particularly at sharp curves such as Huai Yen. Authorities are expected to assess safety measures and road conditions in the area as part of the investigation.”

Perhaps it should have drawn attention to the inherent danger of transporting so many people in the open back of a pick up truck?

The attitude of Thai authorities when it comes to safety is sometimes too idiotic to believe.

On 4/19/2026 at 3:59 AM, Lucky Bones said:

Only 5 will be reported as road deaths as they died at the scene.

The other 3 (+?) will be labelled as something else.

Thailand saving face.

RIP to the deceased.🙃🙃

absolute rubbish! - you know nothing!

5 hours ago, Hardcastle P said:

No it was the bends fault . Or was it a case of too much alcohol. RIP you never stood a chance .

profoundly ignorant comments!

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It is not illegal to ride in the back of a pickup truck in many countries, including many states in the USA. So pointless to criticize this. But 19 people is stupid and shows a lack of common sense

It is a miracle, you dont hear much about such accidents at all.

When im driving in Thailand, I see lots of those situations, people packed in a truck.

Thai law, everyone needs safety belt ! 19 persons in truck, an overload !

Really, 19 persons ! Incredible.

Thai law it isnt for the Thai, every time shown again and again. Sad.

Thai ministry, police , a laughing joke. Average of 43 people dying every day in Thailand in traffic.

Yeah rules , suck, but it can help. Only you must enforce, as police ! Also to Thai people.

The immense violations in traffic in Thailand is enormous.

As said already, Thai cant keep lane in curve and shift from one side to another without paying any attention.

First time I ever had the experience, steam was coming out of my ears. My wife said "it is normal".

It is not only Thailand, it is in Asia overall.

1 hour ago, kwilco said:

absolute rubbish! - you know nothing!

profoundly ignorant comments!

I’m trying to work out what your post criticizing other people add to the conversation and failing miserably.

It may help if you explained why one poster “knows nothing” and why the other is “profoundly ignorant”. That way I could try to understand your point of view.

5 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

No, some things don't change. This would be relatively easy to deal with. Station police or even a police box at dangerous intersections to let their presence be known, and to hand out stiff fines. Put in a police box and you don't even have to man it 24/7. Set up a police presence in any way that is practical. Park an empty police car. In the US police cars have been parked with mannikins inside. But such reckless driving seems to be an accepted element of Thai culture. Can the Thai people themselves stand up and let their outrage be heard? Or do they timidly accept this as a reality they can't fight? The poor kids though. Adults can suffer consequences as adults. Children are purely innocent and have no choice, no voice.

To be fair, as mentioned in another post, a government DID try to outlaw riding in the back of pick up trucks, although to the best of my memory it was to be only during Songkran.

An uproar of protest from the very people it was supposed to protect, meant that it was shelved before it even started.

These dead kids have paid the price unfortunately.

3 hours ago, kwilco said:

absolute rubbish! - you know nothing!

profoundly ignorant comments!

Happy to be proven wrong kwilco.

My understanding is that only deaths at the scene of the accident are counted as official road deaths.

Oh by the way. Your comment did not shed any light on my comment.

Feeling OK today or just posting for the sake of posting?🙃🙃

9 minutes ago, Lucky Bones said:

Happy to be proven wrong kwilco.

My understanding is that only deaths at the scene of the accident are counted as official road deaths.

Oh by the way. Your comment did not shed any light on my comment.

Feeling OK today or just posting for the sake of posting?🙃🙃

You are now sea lioning – pathetic.

Stata are gathered from many sources including insurance companies , hospitals and government organisations the RTP provide only limited help. You might just sit down and think about how stats are gathered in Thailand and who makes use of them rather than clining to a single-liner you stumbled across on social media.

Here are some of the main data sources for Thai road safety:

1. Royal Thai Police (POLIS)

2. Department of Highways (DOH)

3. Department of Land Transport (DLT)

4. ThaiRSC – Thai Road Accident Data Centre for Road Safety Culture

5. Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand (EMIT)

6. National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEM)

7. Thailand Road Accident Management System (TRAMS)

8. Injury Surveillance (IS) - Ministry of Public Health

9. Trauma Registry - Ministry of Public Health

10. WHO and Global Status Reports on Road Safety

While these sources collectively can provide a more accurate picture, they are rarely used or even acknowledged by mainstream media outlets.

It’s essential that we consider all these sources and more when trying to get an accurate idea of what is going on. We deserve better data, transparency and awareness to address Thailand’s ongoing road safety crisis.

50 minutes ago, kwilco said:

You are now sea lioning – pathetic.

Stata are gathered from many sources including insurance companies , hospitals and government organisations the RTP provide only limited help. You might just sit down and think about how stats are gathered in Thailand and who makes use of them rather than clining to a single-liner you stumbled across on social media.

Here are some of the main data sources for Thai road safety:

1. Royal Thai Police (POLIS)

2. Department of Highways (DOH)

3. Department of Land Transport (DLT)

4. ThaiRSC – Thai Road Accident Data Centre for Road Safety Culture

5. Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand (EMIT)

6. National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEM)

7. Thailand Road Accident Management System (TRAMS)

8. Injury Surveillance (IS) - Ministry of Public Health

9. Trauma Registry - Ministry of Public Health

10. WHO and Global Status Reports on Road Safety

While these sources collectively can provide a more accurate picture, they are rarely used or even acknowledged by mainstream media outlets.

It’s essential that we consider all these sources and more when trying to get an accurate idea of what is going on. We deserve better data, transparency and awareness to address Thailand’s ongoing road safety crisis.

Stppped at "sea-lioning".

Never heard of this.🙃🙃

On 4/19/2026 at 12:59 PM, Lucky Bones said:

Only 5 will be reported as road deaths as they died at the scene.

The other 3 (+?) will be labelled as something else.

Thailand saving face.

RIP to the deceased.🙃🙃

Initially, yes - however hospital deaths are counted in the final year tally.

20 hours ago, RupaBE said:

A pick-up truck is not for transporting people, where are the safety-belts? And where are the police to take the pick-ups from the road if they see this....

Have you ever ridden on a song taew or baht bus?

12 hours ago, xtrnuno41 said:

Average of 43 people dying every day in Thailand in traffic.

Not during the 2 7 deadly days holiday periods!