Truck couple die after plunge into Nakhon Phanom water

A husband and wife died after their 12-wheel lorry crashed through a bridge barrier and fell into water in Nakhon Phanom province, where the vehicle remained submerged for around eight hours.

The crash happened at about 9pm on 5 September on Highway 212, the Nakhon Phanom-That Phanom route, near Ban Nong Sao in Tha Kho district. Police said the couple had returned to Thailand after delivering fruit to Vietnam.

Police and rescue teams recovered the bodies of the 56-year-old driver and his 55-year-old wife on 6 September. The couple were from Ban Chanot Yai, Kham Tao subdistrict, in Mueang Nakhon Phanom district.

Lorry crossed lanes after tyre burst

According to initial police inquiries, the lorry, registered in Loei, had crossed the Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge after the fruit delivery and was travelling back empty.

The truck was reportedly only three to four kilometres from the couple's home when its front left tyre burst on a bend at Nong Sao. The driver lost control, crossed lanes and hit and crashed through the bridge barrier, police said.

The cab with the bodies trapped inside was submerged in water about two metres deep below a steep seven-metre embankment. The crash occurred on the inbound side of a four-lane road at kilometre marker 327.

Eight-hour recovery operation

Police Lieutenant Colonel Natthaphon Phosarn, an investigating officer at Mueang Nakhon Phanom Police Station, attended the scene with a doctor from Nakhon Phanom Hospital.

Rescue workers from Sawang Nawa That Phanom, Khong Friendship Rescue, Si Sattanak Nakhon Phanom Rescue, Tha Kho Subdistrict Administrative Organisation and Kham Tao Subdistrict Administrative Organisation took part in the operation.

Authorities closed two lanes while crews brought in 20-tonne and 16-tonne cranes to lift the truck from the water. Nakhon Phanom governor Acting Sub-Lieutenant Colonel Adisak Noisuwan, deputy governor Wira Rerkwanitchakul and provincial disaster prevention officials also attended.

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

It took about eight hours to recover the vehicle and the bodies.

Family identified truck through social media

Relatives and the couple's daughter arrived after learning of the crash through social media. The daughter recognised her parents' truck and broke down in tears at the scene.

After the recovery, relatives said they had no further concerns and accepted the bodies for religious rites.

Join the discussion?

7 September 2026

View full article