PATHUM THANI -- A car caught fire while travelling on the Udon Rathaya expressway (Pak Kret - Bang Pa-in) in Sam Khok district on Wednesday afternoon. The driver and passenger escaped unharmed.
The incident occurred near kilometre marker 19/400 about 1.15pm.
Two fire engines from the Chiang Rak Yai tambon administration organisation were dispatched to the scene and took about 30 minutes to put out the fire, which destroyed the LPG-fuelled Volvo 940 sedan.
Benja Jiewsam-ang, 68, the car's owner, was travelling in the vehicle with his granddaughter.
Mr Benja, who works for an insurance company, said he was driving from Srinakarin Road in Bangkok to a funeral in Phichit province. While on the expressway, he noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. He stopped the car intending to disconnect the battery. But the fire erupted before he could act.
He quickly helped his granddaughter from the car and called police for help.