A 65-year-old British man died after losing control of his motorcycle and crashing into a utility pole on Soi Na Mueang (Mapprachan Bon 1), in Pong, Chonburi, on the evening of 3 April 2026. Emergency responders were unable to revive him despite prolonged efforts at the scene.

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Rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya unit were alerted to the accident at approximately 20:00. The crash occurred in the Pong subdistrict of Bang Lamung district, prompting volunteers to attend the scene immediately.

On arrival, responders found the man unconscious beside his motorcycle with severe injuries and no vital signs. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed, but the attempts were unsuccessful and a doctor later confirmed death at the scene.

Initial examination indicated the victim had suffered a broken neck. He was later identified as Mr Perkins, aged 65, a British national. Nearby, authorities found a black Yamaha motorcycle bearing Chonburi registration. The front of the vehicle was heavily damaged, consistent with a high-impact collision with the utility pole.

Police documented the scene, collecting photographic evidence as part of their investigation. Officers have begun inquiries to determine the exact cause of the crash, including whether speed, road conditions or loss of control were contributing factors.

Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash and will proceed in accordance with legal procedures. Further details are expected once the inquiry is complete and any contributing factors have been fully assessed.

Pictures courtesy of SiamChon

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Adapted by ASEAN Now SiamChon 4 Apr 2026

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I saw another motorbike driving like crazy yesterday, weaving in an out of lanes, driving faster than all the cars.

Even if you drive safely on a motorbike, there is always a risk.

RIP Perkins.

So sad.

I have lost count of the number who have died in motorcycle accidents in and around Pattaya.

3 minutes ago, Homburg said:

RIP Perkins.

So sad.

I have lost count of the number who have died in motorcycle accidents in and around Pattaya.

I've had 20+ years of it. I think it's about time the authorities should get a police force.

Around the Lake, it is an autobaun at times, speed limits are marked improperly for looks lots of paint on the floor that is Thailand control measures. Once it gets start it is a mine field, drivers tailgating although you are going a safe speed. Motorbikes passing undertaking/overtaking when they aren't suppose to be doing then you got the expats who live out there with their own drinking setup, no helmet why? well I just live down the road.

I look at the picture, bike looks modified R.I.P. another bits the dust?

Easily could have happened. 65 years old. Driving at night. Your night vision isn't the same when you get older. Oncoming headlights, easily confused and runs off the road. Especially if the road is rough or he was trying to avoid a pothole or other obstacle.

4 minutes ago, thailand49 said:

Around the Lake, it is an autobaun at times, speed limits are marked improperly for looks lots of paint on the floor that is Thailand control measures. Once it gets start it is a mine field, drivers tailgating although you are going a safe speed. Motorbikes passing undertaking/overtaking when they aren't suppose to be doing then you got the expats who live out there with their own drinking setup, no helmet why? well I just live down the road.

I look at the picture, bike looks modified R.I.P. another bits the dust?

Oh, it's been modified for sure. By a utility pole.

6 minutes ago, Back Stage said:

Oh, it's been modified for sure. By a utility pole.

🤣 Good one! I look at the rims, and the modified front brake disc, none seem to have help against the pole!

23 minutes ago, thailand49 said:

no helmet why?

Maybe a realization there is nothing left to protect?

2 hours ago, save the frogs said:

I saw another motorbike driving like crazy yesterday, weaving in an out of lanes, driving faster than all the cars.

Even if you drive safely on a motorbike, there is always a risk.

Did you see a motorbike driving like crazy yesterday? I see it every time I go out in an area where there are few foreigners. You might think foreigners are the crazy ones until you see how the Thais ride. Most of them are very young, and few wear helmets. A Thai neighbour owns a Honda 650 sport bike. I asked him how fast he has tested it. "230 km/h". Where? "In Pattaya," was his reply. One pothole, some sand or stones, water or oil - lights out!

Most accidents are caused by people driving motor bikes to fast plus some not wearing crash helmets in Thailand

Most involving tourists or ex-pats who don't worry about the laws or fines

They probably would not do the same in their home countries

Stricter law enforcement needed

3 hours ago, save the frogs said:

I saw another motorbike driving like crazy yesterday, weaving in an out of lanes, driving faster than all the cars.

Even if you drive safely on a motorbike, there is always a risk.

It is almost never the guys who lane split and do speed runs that crash. Those guys know what they are doing.

It is the new inexperienced rider who doesn't even know how a motorcycle turns that crashes. Counter steering, leaning ect. The basics. Ppl think they know how to ride but don't

30 minutes ago, shackleton said:

Most accidents are caused by people driving motor bikes to fast plus some not wearing crash helmets in Thailand

Most involving tourists or ex-pats who don't worry about the laws or fines

They probably would not do the same in their home countries

Stricter law enforcement needed

Nope.

Stating that the cause is speed is the most low information take possible. And it is part of the problem. Speed gets the blame and thats where the conversation stops until the next crash. And everyone keeps skipping the part where new riders fundamentally don't understand how and have never be educated on how a motorcycle steers.

Most involve tourists and expats ie NEW RIDERS. That don't understand how a motorcycle steers.

The second most low information take is that stricter law enforcement will solve something. A Russian woman was killed on a motorcycle riding up to the viewpoint in Pattaya. She was going below the speed limit. It was all on dash cam. The low speed did not prevent her from tracking into the oncoming lane and getting killed.

Was in Pattaya for a couple of days R&R from Nakhon Nowhere this week and one thing both of us noticed was the aggressive driving of foreigners on motorbikes, not tourists, obviously retirees/long term expats, never been a fan of 2 wheels , but my mate is, and has several bikes of all shapes and sizes, within a few minutes of getting off the 7 we both commentated WTF are they thinking.

RIP

There are a few things in this world that you do not want to crash into when driving a motorbike, one is a utility pole, the second is a tree, and the third is a parked vehicle. All three tend to be very unyielding and will often result in major injuries or death.

Sounds like this guy was going way too fast lost control of his bike and that was the last day of his life. He woke up in the morning, assumed it was going to be a normal day, and then went out and behaved foolishly and proved Darwin correct.

We have to always allow for contingencies and that's the reason why we don't drive fast in urban areas. There are always dogs running out, bicyclists that might be weaving, people crossing the street, vehicles driving on the wrong side, and all kinds of other things that we need to be watchful for, and driving a motorcycle here in Thailand is dangerous enough already without always driving at moderate speeds, what is good a helmet this we can afford, and being incredibly careful and conscious of our surroundings.

2 hours ago, mikebell said:

I've had 20+ years of it. I think it's about time the authorities should get a police force.

Prior to which there needs to be a realistic training scheme and driving test, not the farce that exists now.

43 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

There are a few things in this world that you do not want to crash into when driving a motorbike, one is a utility pole, the second is a tree, and the third is a parked vehicle. All three tend to be very unyielding and will often result in major injuries or death.

Sounds like this guy was going way too fast lost control of his bike and that was the last day of his life. He woke up in the morning, assumed it was going to be a normal day, and then went out and behaved foolishly and proved Darwin correct.

We have to always allow for contingencies and that's the reason why we don't drive fast in urban areas. There are always dogs running out, bicyclists that might be weaving, people crossing the street, vehicles driving on the wrong side, and all kinds of other things that we need to be watchful for, and driving a motorcycle here in Thailand is dangerous enough already without always driving at moderate speeds, what is good a helmet this we can afford, and being incredibly careful and conscious of our surroundings.

Spidey, postulating, again.

Meanwhile, a 40+ year old man, riding a Harley, hit a traffic light in Adelaide, Australia on Easter Friday.

Died.

So, do all of your comments apply to his death?

Or did your young friends tell you all this?

Give it a rest.

RIP🙃🙃

3 hours ago, mikebell said:

I've had 20+ years of it. I think it's about time the authorities should get a police force.

According to the report they did attend the scene.

3 hours ago, thailand49 said:

no helmet why?

Says he died of a broken neck. No helmet would have saved him from that.

Given the front tire is off of the rim I would say the front tire gave out before he hit the pole. Unlucky another 12 inches and he would have been fine.

OR at 65 he died and then hit the pole.

2 hours ago, Harsh Jones said:

It is almost never the guys who lane split and do speed runs that crash. Those guys know what they are doing.

It is the new inexperienced rider who doesn't even know how a motorcycle turns that crashes. Counter steering, leaning ect. The basics. Ppl think they know how to ride but don't

I agree. Ask any motorcyclist you know how a motorcycle actually turns and 99% of them will get it wrong.

To initiate a left turn you initially move the handlebars slightly RIGHT before then turning left. This is how the lean is created. Most riders do this subconsciously. If you want to initiate a RAPID lean into a left turn, move the handlebars a small amount QUICKLY to the right. This is counter-steering and is what motorcycle racers do to drop into a turn so rapidly. Only riders that consciously understand this can do it. If you don't understand this, stick to cars and taxis.

Inexperienced riders entering bends too fast are at grave risk of ending up where they are looking. If they see a pole on the far side of the road and fix their gaze on it, that's where the bike is going to go, hence some of these unfortunate outcomes. Answer? Look where you want to go. Tip: it works well in a car, too (watch the eyes of F1 drivers through their visors).

These are the basics of safe motorcycling but some never live long enough to learn.

Watch this video to see how it's done properly: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9zSzmkYp0HU

4 hours ago, Homburg said:

RIP Perkins.

So sad.

I have lost count of the number who have died in motorcycle accidents in and around Pattaya.

4 hours ago, Homburg said:

RIP Perkins.

So sad.

I have lost count of the number who have died in motorcycle accidents in and around Pattaya.

4 hours ago, Homburg said:

RIP Perkins.

So sad.

I have lost count of the number who have died in motorcycle accidents in and around Pattaya.

Very sad- a consultant surgeon I acted for always referred to fast bike riders as organ donors!

5 hours ago, Homburg said:

RIP Perkins.

So sad.

I have lost count of the number who have died in motorcycle accidents in and around Pattaya.

You were keeping score?

8 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

You were keeping score?

Just remembering friends lost.

1 hour ago, IsaanT said:

Tip: it works well in a car, too (watch the eyes of F1 drivers through their visors

Tip: F1 drivers eyes cannot be seen through their visors.

5 minutes ago, Homburg said:

8 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

You were keeping score?

Just remembering friends lost

How many of your friends have been killed through motorcycle accidents?

4 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

How many of your friends have been killed through motorcycle accidents?

Too many. And as the years pass it is getting to the point where I can remember their faces, but not their names. I really enjoy riding motorcycles, and have ridden motorcycles for more decades than I care to admit, but I won't ride a motorcycle in Thailand. It's just too dangerous. Just when you think that you are "in control" something totally unexpected will happen and wipe you out. It's not my own level of skill that is lacking, it's the skill and attention of other road users.

2 minutes ago, Homburg said:

How many of your friends have been killed through motorcycle accidents?

Too many

Uunbelievable. You've lost so many friends to motorcycle accidents that you can't remember how many? Sorry, don't believe it.

27 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Tip: F1 drivers eyes cannot be seen through their visors.

Typically, you're right. Watch the night races, such as Singapore. They don't wear tinted visors at night.

There are so many things that can wrong while riding in Thailand, it is dangerous without doubt.

Defensive riding and situational awareness are a must to lower the risk of becoming a statistic.

Not enough details to know what caused this accident.

RIP.

3 minutes ago, IsaanT said:

29 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Tip: F1 drivers eyes cannot be seen through their visors.

Typically, you're right. Watch the night races, such as Singapore. They don't wear tinted visors at night

And the drivers eyes cannot be seen behind the untinted visors at night, either!