Pictures courtesy of Daily News

 

A road crash in Chum Phae district, Khon Kaen, claimed the life of a Mathayom 6 student and left three others injured when a car attempting to overtake collided with a school van carrying 14 students. The fatal crash occurred at 07:40 on 31 October 2025 on Maliwan Road (Chum Phae–Loei route) in Na Nong Thum subdistrict.

 

Police and rescue units from Chum Phae Hospital, Tek Ka Ji Cha Ko Foundation, and Sawang Phu Kradueng Rescue Team rushed to the scene after receiving reports of multiple casualties. The Toyota van, registration from Kalasin, was found overturned off the roadside with severe damage. Eighteen-year-old Jakrapong Laiwongsuwan, a student at Chumphae Sueksa School from Loei province, was found dead, pinned beneath the overturned van. Three other students sustained minor injuries and were taken to Chum Phae Hospital for treatment.

 

Nearby, rescuers discovered a green Nissan March, registration from Khon Kaen, with front end damage. The driver, Mr. Rattanapong, 25, a local resident and freelance musician, was shaken but unhurt and remained at the scene to cooperate with police.

 

Initial investigations revealed that the van, driven by Mr. Chantana, 57, was transporting 14 students from Phu Kradueng district, Loei, to Chumphae Sueksa School. Meanwhile, Mr. Rattanapong was travelling alone from Khon Kaen toward Loei. While attempting to overtake another vehicle, his car reportedly crossed into the opposite lane and clipped the oncoming van, causing the driver to lose control, overturn and crush one of the students.

 

Following the incident, Ms. Oiyjai Khambunrueang, District Chief of Chum Phae, Ms. Thongchan Kamonrat, head of the Khon Kaen Provincial Transport Office (Chum Phae branch) and Mr. Supharerk Noisuwan, District Chief of Phu Kradueng, inspected the crash site. Authorities are now conducting a detailed investigation, including interviews with both drivers, to assess charges.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A car overtaking on the wrong lane hit a school van in Khon Kaen, killing one student and injuring three.

• The van was carrying 14 students from Loei to their school in Chum Phae when the crash occurred.

• Authorities are investigating to determine the cause and legal accountability for the crash.

 

Related Stories

 

Fatal-bus-crash-injures-41-Burapha-University-students

Bus-school-bus-collision-in-Rayong-kills-one-injures-28

 

 

  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Dailynews 2025-11-01

 

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

• A car overtaking on the wrong lane hit a school van in Khon Kaen, killing one student and injuring three.

I think that pretty well sums up the driving skills here.

Sadly loosing another young life.

One granddaughter was at that school.

Just another uneducated driver who does not know when and how to overtake.

Either hesitating to overtake even the slowest truck building long columns on otherwise empty roads.

And if they overtake then slow like elephant race.

A Nissan March needs a good kick down to overtake!

The number 1 problem of Thailand is education. Teach them to drive safer, to wear helmets and you will save tons of money in medical health, have better citizens.