Eight people, including children have died and 11 others were injured after a pickup truck driver lost control and crashed off the road at the Huai Yen curve in Nan province. The crash occurred at 17:55 on 18 April 2026 on Highway 1256, on the Pua to Doi Phu Kha National Park to Bo Kluea route, at kilometre 8+700. Authorities believe the vehicle entered the curve at speed and the driver was unable to maintain control.

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Police at Pua station, led by Pol. Lt. Col. Sanit Chaiwan, were alerted by the Nan 191 radio centre and rushed to the scene. The crash took place on a bend between Ban Na Lae and Ban Mon in Woranakhon subdistrict, Pua district. Emergency services, including rescue teams from Pua Crown Prince Hospital and multiple local administrative organisations, were deployed to assist.

A total of 19 people were travelling in the vehicle. At the scene, 14 people were found injured and five were pronounced dead immediately. Rescue workers provided first aid before urgently transporting the injured to Pua Crown Prince Hospital.

Authorities later confirmed that three more victims died at the hospital, bringing the total death toll to eight. Local schools issued statements of condolence for several of the victims, including students. Pa Klang Secondary School expressed sympathy over the death of Miss Nanticha Phanasan, while Saharat Bamrung School mourned the loss of three primary school pupils: Naphat Chaiya, Waranya Phanasan and Worawat Phanasan.

Initial investigations suggest the crash may have been caused by excessive speed while navigating the curve, combined with road conditions and visibility factors. However, officers stated that a full investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause.

The incident has drawn attention to the dangers of the mountainous route, particularly at sharp curves such as Huai Yen. Authorities are expected to assess safety measures and road conditions in the area as part of the investigation.

Komchadluek reported that officials will continue gathering evidence and witness statements to establish the sequence of events. Further updates are expected once the investigation is complete and authorities confirm the definitive cause of the crash.

Pictures courtesy of Komchadluek

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Komchadluek 19 Apr 2026

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19 people in a pickup.

Reckless moron at the wheel.

Seems this subject survived?

Traveling in the back of a pickup!!!!!!! lives are cheap!!

What ever happened to the law regarding the max number of people in the back of a pickup, oops!, I forgot that was introduced sometime back and now completely forgotten.

However it doesn't matter as it was probably brake failure that was the cause any way.

19 peoples in a pickup truck,overload and very unstable to drive,stupid peoples,very sad for familys,but who care,it is songkran

Only 5 will be reported as road deaths as they died at the scene.

The other 3 (+?) will be labelled as something else.

Thailand saving face.

RIP to the deceased.🙃🙃

1 hour ago, Artisi said:

What ever happened to the law regarding the max number of people in the back of a pickup, oops!, I forgot that was introduced sometime back and now completely forgotten.

However it doesn't matter as it was probably brake failure that was the cause any way.

I don't think the law applies at Songkran!

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The incident has drawn attention to the dangers of the mountainous route, particularly at sharp curves such as Huai Yen

The incident has drawn attention to the compounded effects of poor judgement. I think you'll find that the road is just fine.

It sucks being a kid who is under the control of witless adults. Those kids couldn't opt out of that ride and say 'no thanks, I'll take the next one'. Plenty of kids are intelligent enough to see the potential problem but are overruled by adults with poor impulse control or limited mental capacity.

That sucks. Lovely area, scenic drive and easy to get distracted. Really need to pay attention when driving. Blind hills, curves, hairpin turns, so can't take eyes off the road to long.

R I P

Shaking my head in disbelief at this one.

RIP to the many victims.

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

That sucks. Lovely area, scenic drive and easy to get distracted. Really need to pay attention when driving. Blind hills, curves, hairpin turns, so can't take eyes off the road to long.

R I P

I'm sure your 18 passengers were grateful for your attentiveness.

7 hours ago, Artisi said:

What ever happened to the law regarding the max number of people in the back of a pickup, oops!,

The villagers revolted and the law was over turned within 3 months.

Wait, aren't you guys still blaming Songkran ?

Living in Nan I often drive to Pua, Bo Kluea, Santisuk and other areas in the northern mountain areas....

I (as well as my vehicle's cameras) can personally attest that it's extremely dangerous as most Thais do not know how to stay within the lines of the roads.... They are lazy and cut the curves or are driving too fast to not take the curves properly. Even those Blue trucks carrying passengers, school vans as well as police are often seen crossing into the oncoming lane.

Besides that folks seem to be in a hurry at times and pass on blind hills and curves.

sad...sad....sad

1 hour ago, flaming dragon said:

I'm sure your 18 passengers were grateful for your attentiveness.

Think that's the strangest reply I've ever received 🙄

8 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

I don't think the law applies at Songkran!

Your probably right, but 19?

13 hours ago, Slowhand225 said:

Wait, aren't you guys still blaming Songkran ?

Just the way things are in the rural areas....

I was asked to take wife's mother to visit relatives in another village in my pickup, then the aunt wanted to come, next I know I was loaded up to 12 people all coming along. I struggled to hold it at that. Just how things are.

23 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

19 people in a pickup.

Reckless moron at the wheel.

Seems this subject survived?

As long as the government allows this and there are no checks in place, it will continue to happen – it’s as simple as that.

23 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

Traveling in the back of a pickup!!!!!!! lives are cheap!!

Yes, particularly in Thailand, people are convinced that they will return in a new life, and so they don’t take the present one too seriously.

1256 is a scenic and curvy mountain road with a few tricky switchbacks between Pua and Bo Kluea. I have traveled here multiple times and have seen many accidents throughout the years, but this must be the worst. Poor people, my heart goes out to them and their families, R.I.P.

So very,very sad. My condolences.

A pick-up truck is not for transporting people, where are the safety-belts? And where are the police to take the pick-ups from the road if they see this....

On 4/19/2026 at 8:22 AM, Georgealbert said:

Eight people, including children have died and 11 others were injured after a pickup truck driver lost control and crashed off the road at the Huai Yen curve in Nan province. The crash occurred at 17:55 on 18 April 2026 on Highway 1256, on the Pua to Doi Phu Kha National Park to Bo Kluea route, at kilometre 8+700. Authorities believe the vehicle entered the curve at speed and the driver was unable to maintain control.

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Police at Pua station, led by Pol. Lt. Col. Sanit Chaiwan, were alerted by the Nan 191 radio centre and rushed to the scene. The crash took place on a bend between Ban Na Lae and Ban Mon in Woranakhon subdistrict, Pua district. Emergency services, including rescue teams from Pua Crown Prince Hospital and multiple local administrative organisations, were deployed to assist.

A total of 19 people were travelling in the vehicle. At the scene, 14 people were found injured and five were pronounced dead immediately. Rescue workers provided first aid before urgently transporting the injured to Pua Crown Prince Hospital.

Authorities later confirmed that three more victims died at the hospital, bringing the total death toll to eight. Local schools issued statements of condolence for several of the victims, including students. Pa Klang Secondary School expressed sympathy over the death of Miss Nanticha Phanasan, while Saharat Bamrung School mourned the loss of three primary school pupils: Naphat Chaiya, Waranya Phanasan and Worawat Phanasan.

Initial investigations suggest the crash may have been caused by excessive speed while navigating the curve, combined with road conditions and visibility factors. However, officers stated that a full investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause.

The incident has drawn attention to the dangers of the mountainous route, particularly at sharp curves such as Huai Yen. Authorities are expected to assess safety measures and road conditions in the area as part of the investigation.

Komchadluek reported that officials will continue gathering evidence and witness statements to establish the sequence of events. Further updates are expected once the investigation is complete and authorities confirm the definitive cause of the crash.

Pictures courtesy of Komchadluek

Join the discussion?

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Komchadluek 19 Apr 2026

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So very sad. Probably was avoidable with a careful sober driver.

Moron driver speeding in overloaded pickup. Young lives lost. Hope the driver gets jailtime for manslaughter.

9 minutes ago, tonypattaya said:

So very sad. Probably was avoidable with a careful sober driver.

All accidents are avoidable

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On 4/19/2026 at 8:28 AM, KhunBENQ said:

19 people in a pickup.

Reckless moron at the wheel.

Seems this subject survived?

and at high speed...with 19 people onboard !

Without knowing the full facts and circumstances, I’m not about to make this tragic incident worse by guessing. Suffice to say my heart goes out to the bereaved. As well as those first responders who had to deal with it. Young people and children snuffed out and for what..?

And just 2 days ago a Farang was being publicly vilified for harmlessly doing some donuts (not drifting) on a bit of wasteland. Hey Thailand, here’s your real problem - and one you’re not inclined to address - so the slaughter on the roads will continue…

17 hours ago, Slowhand225 said:

Wait, aren't you guys still blaming Songkran ?

No it was the bends fault . Or was it a case of too much alcohol. RIP you never stood a chance .