Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A monk was killed in a road crash on the morning of 5 September, after a heavily intoxicated driver lost control of his pickup truck and ploughed into him while he was on his daily alms round in Ko Kha district, Lampang province.

 

Police and rescue workers were called to the scene near a U-turn at Ban Sala Dong Lan on Phahonyothin Road at around 06.50. Officers arrived to find a heavily damaged Isuzu pickup lying overturned, having slid some distance, before smashing into two parked cars.

 

Nearby, the lifeless body of Phra Boonsom Saikaew, 69, was discovered. The monk, originally from Ayutthaya, had resided at a local temple for the past five years and was well known to villagers, who fondly called him “Luang Som”. His alms bowl had been hurled more than 20 metres from the point of impact, while his handcart was left mangled. Witnesses said he had been walking his usual morning route when the tragedy struck.

 

The driver, a 27-year-old local man, was found dazed but alive at the scene. A breathalyser test revealed a blood alcohol concentration nearly five times over the legal limit. He later admitted to police that he had been drinking heavily in Lampang city the night before and was on his way home when the crash occurred.

 

According to his account, he attempted to swerve after spotting a lorry making a U-turn but lost control of the vehicle, hitting a traffic signpost before flipping over and striking the monk.

 

Residents expressed their grief, saying Phra Boonsom was a familiar and respected figure who had walked the same route daily to collect alms. “Everyone here knew him. To see him die like this is heartbreaking,” one villager said.

 

Police confirmed they are gathering evidence and will carry out further medical examinations, then bring charges against the driver, who also sustained minor injuries in the collision.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-09-06

 

 

 

How far we have have fallen...

 

 

when is Thailand going to take this seriously, driving while intoxicated is not acceptable on any level and likely causes more death on Thai roads than anything else along with phone use and speeding or a mixture of all three

22 minutes ago, smedly said:

when is Thailand going to take this seriously, driving while intoxicated is not acceptable on any level and likely causes more death on Thai roads than anything else along with phone use and speeding or a mixture of all three

 

R.I.P Mr. Monk.

 

No one cares.

They think getting completely loaded and driving home is just fine and normal.

Thailand has no real strong people in government that are willing to make changes.

They just trot out the same old Bs,  every year but do nothing.

T.I.T.