Sriracha police officer seriously hurt in trailer crash

CHONBURI — 18 September 2026, A police officer was seriously injured after the sedan he was driving slammed into the rear of an 18-wheel trailer in Bang Lamung district early Friday morning.

The crash was reported at around 03:40 on Sukhumvit Road near the Wave Inn U-turn in Thung Krat, Bang Lamung district.

The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya rescue centre received a report that a sedan had crashed into the back of a trailer, with the driver trapped inside the wreckage.

Rescue volunteers equipped with hydraulic cutting tools and a medical team from Pattaya Patamakun Hospital were dispatched to the scene.

They found a white Toyota Altis,  with its front section severely crushed.

A firearm and an amount of cash were also found outside the vehicle.

Inside the wreckage was Pol Lt Col Tharathon Makkanan, a deputy traffic investigation officer at Sriracha Police Station, who was trapped behind the steering wheel and seriously injured.

Rescue workers used hydraulic cutting equipment to cut through the wreckage and free him. He was given initial medical treatment before being rushed to hospital.

The other vehicle involved was an 18-wheel trailer bearing registration 72-1809 Saraburi for the tractor unit and 709477 Saraburi for the trailer. It sustained extensive damage, including a broken rear axle.

The trailer was stopped in the far-right lane when the crash occurred. Its driver, Team Son-am, 37, remained at the scene and spoke to police.

Team said he had been driving the trailer toward Laem Chabang Port. He was travelling in the rightmost lane and was preparing to make a U-turn when the sedan suddenly approached at high speed and slammed into the rear of the trailer.

The impact caused the trailer to spin.

Team also said the area was quite dark at the time, with almost no lighting.

Police from Bang Lamung Police Station inspected the scene and documented the vehicles and surrounding area as evidence.

Investigators will review CCTV footage from nearby locations and the crash site to determine the circumstances and cause of the collision and ensure fairness to all parties.