Lorry Crashes into Power Pole, Driver Flees, Leaving 53 Myanmar Migrants Stranded

Pictures from responders.

A six-wheeled lorry crashed into a power pole on a major highway in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, leaving 53 Myanmar migrants stranded after the driver fled the scene. The migrants, who had each reportedly paid 50,000 baht to a Thai broker for illegal passage to Malaysia, were found huddled under a tarpaulin in the vehicle’s cargo area.

At around 19:00 on 31 January, Police Lieutenant Colonel Phanuwat Rattanaphan of Nabon Police Station received a report of an crash on Highway 41, in the Thung Song-Surat Thani southbound lane, in Moo 9, Kaeo Saen Subdistrict. Police and rescue workers from the Pracharuamjai Foundation were dispatched to the scene.

On arrival, officers found a damaged pink Hino lorry with registration plate from Lampang, which had veered off the road into the central reservation. A power pole had been toppled by the impact. The driver had already fled by the time authorities arrived.

Upon opening the tarpaulin covering the rear of the lorry, officers discovered 53 Myanmar nationals, including men and women. One person suffered a broken leg, while others had minor injuries. The migrants, appearing exhausted and distressed, could not speak Thai.

Through an interpreter, authorities learned that the group had been transported from the Thai-Myanmar border and was en route to Malaysia. Each migrant had paid a Thai broker 50,000 baht for the journey.

Investigators believe the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled following the crash, leaving the migrants stranded. Authorities are now working to locate and question the driver. Meanwhile, immigration officials will process the Myanmar nationals for repatriation.

-- 2025-02-01