BANGKOK– A devastating multi-vehicle collision involving a ten-wheel freight truck and six other vehicles left one person dead and several others injured on Kanlapaphruek Road on Friday afternoon.
The accident occurred during a sudden downpour when the heavy truck, reportedly suffering from a complete brake system failure, careened into a line of traffic.
Officers from Bang Khun Thian Police Station arrived at the scene to find a chaotic wreckage of cars and motorcycles, including three motorbikes trapped beneath the truck’s chassis. The driver, identified as 67-year-old Mr. Jumpee Jobpang, remained at the scene and cited mechanical failure as the cause of the tragedy.
Chaos on Kanlapaphruek Road
The accident took place on the outbound side of Kanlapaphruek Road, a major artery for commuters heading toward Phet Kasem Road. According to Thairath , the truck was fully loaded with eucalyptus wood when it lost control. Witnesses described a terrifying scene as the massive vehicle failed to slow down while approaching a congested intersection.
The impact was severe, involving a total of seven vehicles:
- The ten-wheel truck carrying timber.
- Three passenger cars and SUVs.
- Three motorcycles that were crushed under the truck.
First responders worked quickly to extract the victims from the mangled remains of the smaller vehicles. One individual was pronounced dead at the scene, while several others were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment. The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of family members.
Driver Blames Mechanical Failure
Mr. Jumpee, the driver of the timber truck, sustained minor injuries and appeared visibly shaken while speaking to investigators. He explained that as he was driving through the rain, the road became slick. When he attempted to apply the brakes to slow down for traffic, he realized the system was unresponsive.
“The air in the brake tanks was completely gone,” the driver reportedly told police. Despite his efforts to pump the brakes and steer the vehicle away from the crowd, the weight of the eucalyptus logs made the truck impossible to stop, leading to the high-speed chain reaction.
Police Investigation and Legal Action
Police Colonel from the Bang Khun Thian station confirmed that the truck driver has been detained for further questioning. Authorities are preparing to file charges related to reckless driving causing death and injury. However, the investigation is still ongoing to determine if the mechanical failure was due to poor maintenance or an unavoidable equipment malfunction.
The truck will undergo a rigorous inspection by forensic experts to verify the driver’s claims about the “empty air tanks” and brake failure. Investigators are also reviewing CCTV footage from the area to reconstruct the moments leading up to the crash. Traffic on Kanlapaphruek Road was heavily backed up for several hours as recovery teams worked to clear the eucalyptus logs and tow the wrecked vehicles from the roadway.
Heavy Rain and Road Safety Concerns
This incident has renewed concerns about the safety of heavy transport vehicles on Bangkok’s roads, especially during the rainy season. Heavy rain often leads to slippery surfaces, which can exacerbate existing mechanical issues in older trucks. Road safety advocates are calling for stricter enforcement of vehicle maintenance checks for large commercial trucks entering the city.
Experts suggest that truck owners must ensure their braking systems—specifically air compressors and tanks—are in top condition, as these are critical for stopping heavy loads. The loss of air pressure in a truck’s braking system is a catastrophic failure that often leaves drivers with no way to prevent a collision.
The Bang Khun Thian police will continue to gather statements from the survivors and witnesses. The driver remains in custody as the legal process moves forward. For the families of the victims, the focus remains on recovery and seeking justice for the lives disrupted by this preventable tragedy.
Bangkok authorities have urged drivers to exercise extreme caution during the current period of unpredictable weather. They recommend maintaining a safe following distance and checking vehicle conditions before traveling, particularly for those operating heavy machinery.
