20-Year-Old Survives Fiery Car Crash in Buriram Province

Pictures courtesy of SiamNews

A 20-year-old man was seriously injured after losing control of his car, crashing off the road and becoming trapped moments before the vehicle burst into flames in Buriram province in the early hours of 14 January 2026. The crash occurred at about 1.30am on the Prakhon Chai–Buriram road, between Ban Phaibun village in Ban Sai subdistrict, Prakhon Chai district. The car was completely destroyed by fire, while the driver suffered severe injuries, including fractures to both legs.

Police said the incident was reported to Pol Lt Col Phromphiriya Phansingen, an investigating officer at Prakhon Chai police station, who coordinated with firefighters and relevant agencies to attend the scene. On arrival, officers found a red Toyota Corolla with Buriram registration plates, modified in a racing style, lying off the roadside and engulfed in flames. Firefighters took about 20 minutes to bring the blaze under control.

The driver, identified as Mr Thakoon, aged 20, was found about 50 metres from the vehicle, where villagers were providing first aid. He had sustained fractures to both legs and was rushed to hospital for urgent treatment. Initial inspections of the scene found heavy damage at a U-turn point on the road, along with skid marks leading to the crash site.

According to Mr Srisomphon Sudabut, village headman of Ban Sai subdistrict, the crash happened late at night when traffic was light. He said he heard a loud bang from his nearby home and went to investigate, finding the car off the road. He called nearby residents to help rescue the injured driver after noticing the strong smell of leaking fuel.

Mr Srisomphon said it took about 10 minutes to pull the injured man from the wreckage. Less than a minute later, the car caught fire, which spread rapidly and soon engulfed the whole car. He said the driver was fortunate that villagers acted quickly, adding that a delay of around five minutes could have resulted in fatal consequences.

Police believe the car was travelling at high speed before the crash. Investigators suspect the driver may have been startled by something on the road, causing him to brake suddenly before colliding with the central reservation at the U-turn point. The vehicle then spun off to the left side of the road, where the fire broke out.

SiamNews reported that the driver remains in hospital as police continue to examine the exact cause of the crash. Officers will review physical evidence from the scene and gather further witness statements as part of the ongoing investigation.

Key Takeaways

• A 20-year-old driver survived after villagers rescued him moments before his car caught fire.

• The crash occurred at 1.30am on 14 January 2026 on the Prakhon Chai–Buriram road.

• Police suspect high speed and sudden braking at a U-turn caused the accident.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Siamnews 2026-01-15