Pattaya, Chonburi – October 16th, 2025– An early-morning accident on Sukhumvit Road left a 36-year-old motorcyclist in critical condition after he veered into oncoming traffic and smashed head-on into an SUV, authorities reported. The incident, captured on dashcam footage, has baffled witnesses and the SUV driver, who described being frozen in shock as the collision unfolded.
The crash occurred at 1:36 a.m. on the Chonburi-bound side of Sukhumvit Road, just before the elevated motorway ramp near the seventh line. Pattaya’s rescue center received the emergency call about a motorcycle colliding with a car, involving a severely injured victim. Rescue volunteers rushed to the scene, where they found the rider lying motionless in the middle of the road.
The motorcycle, a gray Honda PCX with a Buriram license plate was driven by Mr. Chanachai Yuranpak Thongchai, 36. He suffered life-threatening injuries from the head-on impact with a white Chevrolet SUV bearing Bangkok plates driven by Ms. Thanwaphon Phongphat, also 36. Rescue teams provided immediate first aid, including CPR to stabilize him, before rushing him to a local hospital.
Ms. Thanwaphon, visibly shaken, told investigators she was driving normally toward Bangkok when the motorcycle rider suddenly appeared driving against traffic. “I didn’t know what to do or where to swerve,” she said, adding she had no idea why the rider was going the wrong way. Fortunately, her vehicle’s dashcam recorded the entire event, providing crucial evidence.
An eyewitness, 17-year-old Mr. Thana Khun Ratthakit, told The Pattaya News about seeing the motorcycle rider emerge from a side alley and speed in the wrong direction toward the Pattaya underpass tunnel entrance, leading straight to the collision.
Dashcam footage reviewed by police shows the SUV approaching steadily, with the vehicle ahead braking and swerving. As the SUV slowed, the wrong-way motorcycle barreled into its front, sending both the bike and rider flying in opposite directions. Officers have seized the video as evidence to determine fault in the ongoing investigation.
Police are piecing together the details, with the clear recording expected to play a key role in the case. No further updates on Mr. Chanachai’s condition were immediately available.
