Picture courtesy of SiamRath

 

A ten-wheeled lorry transporting 2,500 live chickens caused a dramatic eight-vehicle pile-up during rush hour in Chachoengsao province on the morning of 29 July, after its brakes reportedly failed while approaching a busy intersection. Over 30 people were affected, including schoolchildren, government employees and medical personnel going to work,but miraculously, no one suffered life-threatening injuries.

 

The crash occurred at approximately 07:30 at the Robinson Junction traffic lights on Route 314 (Chachoengsao–Bang Pakong), near Municipal School No. 2 and the turnoff to Thep Khunakorn Road leading to Wat Sothon. According to police investigators, the lorry driver lost control of the vehicle while descending a flyover and ploughed into a queue of vehicles waiting at the lights.

 

Among the eight vehicles damaged were a Toyota Alphard, BMW sedan, several pickups, including two converted for school transport, a BYD electric vehicle, a Honda Civic and the ten-wheeled lorry itself, registered in Saraburi. The impact left several cars stacked up and some forced onto the central reservation, with school vans taking the brunt of the collision.

 

Nine students were in one of the school pickups at the time, with another three in a second. Dashcam footage captured the moment the crash occurred, showing vehicles being violently struck and children being pulled from wreckage under a collapsed roof. Fortunately, most children sustained only bruises or minor injuries. The most serious case involved a 15-year-old student named Ratchanon, who suffered a significant arm injury.

 

The driver, 35-year-old Mr. Ittiphat from Prachinburi province, later offered a tearful apology at the local police station to the injured boy’s father. He explained that he had been transporting poultry from a Chonburi farm to a slaughterhouse in Minburi, Bangkok, and that his vehicle’s brakes had been working normally earlier in the journey.

 

However, as he approached the intersection, he claimed the brake pedal failed entirely. “It felt like pressing into empty space,” he said. “I heard a hissing sound, like air escaping. I believe the air brake system failed and the brakes didn’t grip.” Attempting to reduce the damage, he swerved into the rightmost lane, which was less crowded.

 

The crash caused massive disruption, and those involved, including many civil servants on their way to work, later gathered at Chachoengsao City Police Station to give statements.

 

Local police have launched a full investigation into the mechanical failure and the roadworthiness of the vehicle. The incident, while serious, is being hailed as a narrowly averted mass casualty disaster.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from SiamRath 2025-07-30

 

 

 

23 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

 

A ten-wheeled lorry transporting 2,500 live chickens caused a dramatic eight-vehicle pile-up

Fowl story. 

 

 

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

The incident, while serious, is being hailed as a narrowly averted mass casualty disaster.

 

The humans may be hailing no loss of life, but 2500 chickens are demanding a headcount. 

yeah brakes failed right there - I don't think so

 

more likely not paying attention to driving looking at phone, very common here based on my own observations while drive on the roads - especially bad when approaching a line of stopped traffic and you realise too late, yes your brakes failed to stop you in time because that was impossible 

If they had vacume brakes and not compressed air brakes this excuse could not be possible becsuse any loss of vacume puts the brakes on.

 

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

I believe the air brake system failed and the brakes didn’t grip.” Attempting to reduce the damage, he swerved into the rightmost lane, which was less crowded.

I thought air brake systems were designed to be "fail safe" ie the brakes are held off by the air and if you lose air the breaks come on.