Pictures courtesy of Daily News

A multi-vehicle collision involving six vehicles left two unnamed foreign tourists seriously injured and caused major traffic disruption on the Cha-am–Pranburi bypass in Phetchaburi province on 6 January 2026. The crash occurred at a U-turn point on the southbound carriageway in Cha-am district, resulting in long tailbacks stretching several kilometres.

Police from Cha-am station were alerted to the incident and coordinated with Cha-am Hospital, Sawang Sanphet rescue volunteers and highway police to assist at the scene. Two foreign tourists, a man and a woman travelling in a white Toyota with red temporary plates, were unable to get out of their vehicle, due to their injuries and required extrication by rescue workers using spine boards, before being rushed to hospital for treatment.

The crash took place at a known accident-prone U-turn on the bypass road linking Cha-am and Pranburi. According to initial findings, the tourist car crossed the oncoming lanes from a side access point near a canal and cut sharply in front of an oncoming pickup truck carrying vegetables. Despite braking, the heavily loaded vehicle was unable to stop in time, triggering a chain collision.

In total, six vehicles were damaged, including the tourist car, two vegetable-laden Isuzu pickup trucks, a white Mazda saloon, a bronze Toyota Camry and a bronze Isuzu extended-cab pickup. One of the pickup trucks overturned at the roadside, and its windscreen was shattered in the impact.

The driver of one pickup truck, Mr Thanaphat from Chaiyaphum province, told police he had been travelling from Ratchaburi to deliver vegetables to Surat Thani. He said he slowed down near the U-turn and swerved left, while another pickup alongside him also braked, before the tourist car suddenly crossed lanes directly in front of them, leaving no time to avoid the collision due to the weight of the load.

The crash caused severe congestion, with traffic backed up for kilometres. During the clearance operation, two ten-wheel lorries also sideswiped each other amid the congestion, further complicating traffic conditions. Police and rescue teams worked to clear the scene and manage traffic, restoring normal flow after approximately one hour.

Daily News reported that local residents and drivers have raised concerns about the U-turn, which has a history of frequent crashes resulting in injuries and fatalities. Calls were made for the Department of Highways and the Cha-am Highway Office to urgently implement initial safety measures to reduce the risk at the location. Investigations into the crash are ongoing, and police will review road conditions and vehicle movements to determine further action.

Key Takeaways

• Two foreign tourists were seriously injured in a six-vehicle crash on the Cha-am–Pranburi bypass.

• The collision occurred at a U-turn point known for frequent accidents and traffic hazards.

• Authorities cleared the scene within an hour, and investigations are continuing.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Dailynews 2026-01-07

 

 

The pick up trucks with vegetables are all overloaded and speeding. Even in the lane they are not allowed to drive on Phetkasem road they cause problems.. as the right lane is for vehicles with a speed of minimum 100km and max 120km, they drive as overloaded car 80km and refuse to go aside. Besides that the brake way for a heavy object is longer.. so no wonder they could not stop in time.... the lack of driving skills is really a big problem in Thailand. No education and no enforcement of any law about allowed height and weight of cargo, has caused many problems.

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

The pick up trucks with vegetables are all overloaded and speeding. Even in the lane they are not allowed to drive on Phetkasem road they cause problems.. as the right lane is for vehicles with a speed of minimum 100km and max 120km, they drive as overloaded car 80km and refuse to go aside. Besides that the brake way for a heavy object is longer.. so no wonder they could not stop in time.... the lack of driving skills is really a big problem in Thailand. No education and no enforcement of any law about allowed height and weight of cargo, has caused many problems.

Totally agree about these pick-ups; they almost always travel in the right hand lane, and often slower than other traffic. The police do nothing. Why? Donations have been made?

These U-turns are a terrible idea. Firstly, vehicles have to cross the fast lane from a standing start to get to the slow lane. Secondly, vehicles in both directions use the same U-turn so nobody can see clearly if other vehicles are coming. At the very least the authorities should make these U-turns only available in one direction.

All the main roads around Hua Hin are deadly. Even for pedestrians to cross the roads in Hua Hin main roads, is a regular hazard. Be safe...go to Bangkok or even Pattaya instead.