Car Ploughs Into Shoppers in Samut Prakan, Injuring Six

Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath

A car crashed into a roadside food store and pedestrians in Soi Noree, Samut Prakan province, injuring six people, including one woman who was critically hurt. The incident occurred at about 6pm on 5 January 2026 in the Tai Ban Mai subdistrict of Mueang district, causing panic among residents and shoppers in the area. Emergency services rushed the injured to nearby hospitals as police began an investigation.

According to authorities, the Samut Prakan Hospital Emergency Medical Centre 1669 received reports that a vehicle had struck a motorcycle and several people who were shopping along the roadside. Rescue teams from the Ruam Kusol Samut Prakan Foundation and hospital ambulances were dispatched to provide urgent assistance. At the scene, five women and one man were found injured, with one woman lying seriously wounded in the road.

The car, a Mazda, was found lodged inside a curry rice shop, with extensive damage to both the front of the vehicle and the store. A motorcycle was discovered crushed beneath the car, having sustained severe damage. Police confirmed that the injured were stabilised at the scene before being transported to hospital for treatment.

CCTV footage reviewed by investigators shows the car initially parked near a gas shop before suddenly accelerating to the right and driving against traffic at speed. Further footage captured the vehicle swerving back into the left lane before crashing into a motorcycle and the curry shop, finally coming to a stop. Several bystanders were struck in the process, resulting in multiple injuries.

The driver, identified as Somkiat Thongprasert, 58, told police he had parked about 100 metres away to purchase gas and exited the vehicle to change a gas cylinder. He stated that he may not have engaged the automatic transmission’s parking gear (P), causing the vehicle to roll forward when he re-entered it. Mr Somkiat insisted he had not consumed alcohol prior to the incident.

Matichon reported that one injured resident said the vehicle struck without warning while she was talking with relatives outside the shop, adding that she narrowly avoided more serious harm. A witness, Narin Artprajun, 26, reported seeing the car accelerate rapidly with its wheels spinning before it drove against traffic, hit two motorcycles, and crashed into the food shop. Police are continuing to collect evidence, review additional CCTV footage and question those involved to determine legal responsibility.

Key Takeaways

• Six people were injured when an car crashed into shoppers and a food store in Soi Noree, Samut Prakan, on 5 January 2026.

• CCTV footage shows the vehicle driving against traffic before hitting a motorcycle and the shop.

• Police are investigating after the driver claimed he forgot to engage the parking gear and denied drinking alcohol.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thairath 2026-01-07