Pickup Truck Ploughs Through Songkran Revellers, Injuring Nearly 20, Driver Beaten by Mob

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khoasod.

 

A shocking incident marred Songkran celebrations in Chachoengsao province on 14 April when a pickup truck driver rammed through a large crowd of water festival revellers, injuring nearly 20 people, six of them seriously. The chaotic aftermath saw an enraged crowd of over a hundred people drag the driver from the vehicle and beat him severely before police arrived.

 

The incident occurred around 19:20, in Ban Khlong Udom, Thung Phraya subdistrict, Sanam Chai Khet district. A Facebook user, “Nattawut Yongkul,” who was at the scene, shared photos and a video of the horrific moment the vehicle ploughed into people who were celebrating in the street.

 

Witnesses reported that one person was trapped beneath the vehicle. Locals rushed in to lift the pickup off the victim and tend to the wounded while urgently calling for ambulances. Emergency services were eventually able to reach the scene and transport the injured to nearby hospitals.

 

The driver’s motives remain unclear, but according to onlookers, he appeared to deliberately speed into the crowd. As panic turned to fury, the crowd smashed the truck’s windows and attacked the man inside. Video footage shows several people trying to restrain others from inflicting further harm while waiting for the police.

 

The driver was eventually rescued from the mob by authorities and taken into custody. An investigation is now underway to determine whether the act was intentional or due to reckless driving under the influence.

 

Local police have appealed for calm and urged the public to let justice take its course through legal channels.

 

-- 2025-04-15

 

[Briggsy]

Just another reason why I avoid the drunken mayhem of the water-throwing areas. Accidents and incidents galore. I usually travel my motorbike and think it is extremely dangerous to have a bucket of water thrown at you whilst riding.

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, Briggsy said:

Just another reason why I avoid the drunken mayhem of the water-throwing areas. Accidents and incidents galore. I usually travel my motorbike and think it is extremely dangerous to have a bucket of water thrown at you whilst riding.

Yeah, that is dangerous. However, after my experience of more than 26 years in Thailand, You just have to wave with your hand and almost all people respect and do not throw water on you.

[jerrymahoney]

3 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Yeah, that is dangerous. However, after my experience of more than 26 years in Thailand, You just have to wave with your hand and almost all people respect and do not throw water on you.

Until you turn your back to walk away and they dump a bucket of water on you from behind -- my experience after I just wanted to go out for a walk during SongKran following knee surgery. That was my experience one year. Broke my glasses.

[baansgr]

Happens in Europe on a weekly basis, maybe the same is gonna happen here. No mention of drunkenness in the report,.only that the driver deliberately sped into the crowd.. 

[baansgr]

1 hour ago, Briggsy said:

Just another reason why I avoid the drunken mayhem of the water-throwing areas. Accidents and incidents galore. I usually travel my motorbike and think it is extremely dangerous to have a bucket of water thrown at you whilst riding.

Where does it say he was drunk? I think there is an ulterior motive to this

[JAG]

4 minutes ago, baansgr said:

Where does it say he was drunk? I think there is an ulterior motive to this

It does say that the Police detained him to ascertain whether he was driving under the influence.

[baansgr]

5 minutes ago, JAG said:

It does say that the Police detained him to ascertain whether he was driving under the influence.

It says if it was "intentional ". 👍 

. An investigation is now underway to determine whether the act was intentional

[JAG]

2 minutes ago, baansgr said:

It says if it was "intentional ". 👍 

"An investigation is now underway to determine whether the act was intentional or due to reckless driving under the influence."

[baansgr]

Just now, JAG said:

"An investigation is now underway to determine whether the act was intentional or due to reckless driving under the influence."

Exactly.. 

[thaibeachlovers]

35 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

You just have to wave with your hand and almost all people respect and do not throw water on you.

Not in Pattaya.

[steven100]

don't ya just love this place ....  so entertaining ,  it's just like going to the circus every day and watching the clowns. 

[Briggsy]

1 hour ago, baansgr said:

Where does it say he was drunk? I think there is an ulterior motive to this

Where did I say the driver was drunk? There were many people involved in this mayhem.

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Not in Pattaya.

BS! It just depends on your authority and how you show them.

[Woke to Sounds]

Under examination.

 

Either drink driving or intentional.

 

My bet's on yabba.

 

I was saddened reading the headline ...  till I got to the part about the mob beating this prxck. 😂

[roo860]

14 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

BS! It just depends on your authority and how you show them.

How do you show them Rambo?😏

[NorthernRyland]

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

don't ya just love this place ....  so entertaining ,  it's just like going to the circus every day and watching the clowns. 

 

This looked like a 3 stooges skit. Shoe eat foot, Shoe eat foot! 😂

 

 

 

[ChipButty]

2 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Yeah, that is dangerous. However, after my experience of more than 26 years in Thailand, You just have to wave with your hand and almost all people respect and do not throw water on you.

Not in Phuket, 

[Captain Flack]

Off topic post removed

[Ralf001]

4 hours ago, Briggsy said:

Just another reason why I avoid the drunken mayhem of the water-throwing areas. Accidents and incidents galore. I usually travel my motorbike and think it is extremely dangerous to have a bucket of water thrown at you whilst riding.

 

 

Yeah because drivers going postal and driving into crowds on happens in Thailand aye !

[richard_smith237]

56 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

BS! It just depends on your authority and how you show them.

 

I think it might depend more 'where you are'....   If you are in an area which is more or less 'zoned' (officially or otherwise) for water throwing - Its almost impossible to avoid some tool shooting water in your direction.

 

That said, its unwise to enter such area's with the expectation that you are going to remain dry.

 

In area's outside of the main mayhem, intentions seem much more reserved and as you say Gottfrid, a raised hand is more than sufficient to request you are left alone.

 

 

We have a whole spectrum of Songkran revelers in Thailand, from those who can remain sensible, to those who run up and shoot iced water in your face from point blank range - lucky the worst can be avoided because they are in those area's we know to avoid.

[Gottfrid]

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

I think it might depend more 'where you are'....   If you are in an area which is more or less 'zoned' (officially or otherwise) for water throwing - Its almost impossible to avoid some tool shooting water in your direction.

 

That said, its unwise to enter such area's with the expectation that you are going to remain dry.

 

In area's outside of the main mayhem, intentions seem much more reserved and as you say Gottfrid, a raised hand is more than sufficient to request you are left alone.

 

 

We have a whole spectrum of Songkran revelers in Thailand, from those who can remain sensible, to those who run up and shoot iced water in your face from point blank range - lucky the worst can be avoided because they are in those area's we know to avoid.

Right! Sure one needs to avoid designated areas. That was written between the lines 😉 

And of course, we will always have the ones that just refuse to see, listen or understand. That thing is not Thai specific, as you will find it in any country. 

However, in my opinion most people are sensible and show respect to the ones who wish so.

[Gottfrid]

3 hours ago, ChipButty said:

Not in Phuket, 

And again a bunch of BS! If you choose to drive or walk trough areas designated for water play, you might not have the chance to avoid it, but if you take the way around it, you will surely get the respect out of Thai people in Phuket as well.

[Gottfrid]

3 hours ago, roo860 said:

How do you show them Rambo?😏

What a senseless reply you just made. What makes a person Rambo, just because one know how to show authority, give and get respect?

I know you believe you won WWII, but that´s not true, and something you wish to live on for centuries. That´s also why you make such foolish replies and plainly refuse to accept things with an arrogant attitude.

[madone]

7 hours ago, Briggsy said:

Just another reason why I avoid the drunken mayhem of the water-throwing areas.

What a load of utter twaddle 

[richard_smith237]

36 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

However, in my opinion most people are sensible and show respect to the ones who wish so.

Yup - that’s what I see too… ‘most ppl’ are respectful & sensible. 
 

But the key thing is area - the ones arguing the opposite are probably dying read between your lines & have generalised. 

 

 

[PETERTHEEATER]

10 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Locals rushed in to lift the pickup off the victim and tend to the wounded while urgently calling for ambulances.

While others used their mobile phones to post video on their Bookface account........🥺

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Drunk Driver Who Ploughed into Songkran Revellers Granted Bail

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

A 44-year-old man who drove his pickup truck into a crowd celebrating Songkran, Thailand’s New Year water festival, has been granted bail, police confirmed on 15 April. The incident, which occurred in the Klong Udom village area of Thung Praya subdistrict, Sanam Chai Khet district, left multiple people injured, including one in serious condition.

 

The driver, identified as Mr. Suraphon from Khao Mai Kaew in Kabin Buri district, Prachinburi province, was reportedly intoxicated at the time. Police said he was arrested at the scene by officers from Wangkhu Police Station and was later charged with two offences: driving under the influence and reckless driving causing serious injury.

 

According to Pol. Col. Kriengkrai Boonsorn, Provincial Police Chief of Chachoengsao, the suspect had no prior criminal record. Pol. Col. Phuwadon Phisutthinaraset, Superintendent of Wangkhu Police Station, added that Mr. Suraphon applied for bail using a surety based on his position as a subdistrict headman, with an asset value of 200,000 baht or a cash bond of 100,000 baht. The court approved the bail request, citing the defendant’s legal right to apply.

 

Witnesses reported the driver appeared confused and ignored calls from local residents to exit his vehicle following the crash. The incident, which took place on a narrow six-metre-wide village road, occurred amid heavy rain and poor driving conditions. The road was filled with people enjoying Songkran festivities at the time.

 

The suspect, who has worked at a Japanese-owned factory in the 304 Industrial Estate for 18 years, is said to have only minor injuries. Breathalyser results showed an alcohol level well above the legal limit.

 

The vehicle sustained minor damage to the front bonnet, consistent with striking pedestrians. Investigations revealed that Mr. Suraphon had earlier been participating in the water celebrations before attempting to drive home.

 

As of the afternoon of 15 April, all but one of the injured individuals had been discharged from hospital. One person remains under medical care at Sanam Chai Khet Hospital. Doctors are continuing to monitor the patient’s condition to determine the severity of the injuries.

 

Local authorities continue to investigate the incident. The case has drawn widespread attention as communities across Thailand seek to balance festive traditions with public safety.

 

-- 2025-04-15

 

[Briggsy]

There you go, as I said, drunk as a skunk and old enough to know much better.

[roo860]

6 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

What a senseless reply you just made. What makes a person Rambo, just because one know how to show authority, give and get respect?

I know you believe you won WWII, but that´s not true, and something you wish to live on for centuries. That´s also why you make such foolish replies and plainly refuse to accept things with an arrogant attitude.

Now I realise how unbalanced you actually are, spending far too much time on this forum, give it a rest 😴