Pictures courtesy of Naewna

 

A 59-year-old monk was killed in the early hours of 24 October 2025 after being struck by a car on the Asian Highway 32 in Ang Thong province. Police and rescue workers responded to the scene following reports of the collision, which occurred near Ban It Temple in Mueang district. The driver told authorities that poor street lighting was the main cause of the fatal collision.

 

At around 05:45, Pol Lt Samaisit Boonmakhop, deputy investigator at Mueang Ang Thong Police Station, received a report of a road fatality on Highway 32, Village 5, Ban It subdistrict. Upon arrival with a medical team from Ang Thong Hospital and volunteers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation, officials found the monk’s body lying on the roadside opposite Wat Chang Ban It. Personal belongings, including a monk’s alms bowl, shoulder bag and sandals, were scattered nearby.

 

The victim was later identified as Phra Khru Sangharak, a resident monk of Wat Chang Ban It. His death shocked the local community, where he had been receiving morning alms for over 40 years. Residents said the monk had been attempting to cross the wide eight-lane highway when the collision occurred.

 

Police found an Isuzu silver car with Bangkok licence plates parked about 100 metres away from the scene. The driver, Mr. Piyachai, aged 44, remained at the site and cooperated fully with authorities. He stated that he was travelling to a construction site in Nakhon Sawan when the collision happened. He explained that the road was poorly lit, and he did not see the monk in time to avoid the collision. After the impact, he immediately stopped and contacted emergency services.

 

Police collected evidence from the scene and took statements from witnesses before escorting the driver to Mueang Ang Thong Police Station for further questioning. Authorities said an investigation would determine whether negligence or other factors contributed to the fatal crash.

 

Local residents and temple followers expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing Phra Khru Sangharak as a well-respected monk who had served the community for decades. The incident has also renewed calls for improved road lighting and pedestrian safety measures along the Asia Highway, which has seen multiple fatal accidents in recent years.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A 59-year-old monk from Wat Chang Ban It was struck and killed on Asian Highway in Ang Thong early on 24 October 2025.

• The driver, aged 44, blamed poor street lighting for the collision and reported it immediately to police.

• Authorities are investigating the crash and calls are growing for better lighting and safety measures on the highway.

 

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  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Naewna 2025-10-25

 

 

 

 

I'm sorry to say this, but in general, Thai people always walk on the wrong side of the road, with the traffic, so you can't see what's happening behind you.
Even my own girlfriend finds it difficult to understand that when you walk, you should always walk against the direction of traffic.

It must have still been dark, the driver did not see the monk, but if the monk had been walking on the correct side of the road, he would have seen the car.

 

As for the monk, may he rest in peace.