Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's motorcade was hit by a falling tree branch, injuring two of his security guards yesterday.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha presides over the opening of an exhibition entitled 'Returning Happiness to Youth' to promote science and technology at the Science Centre for Education in Bangkok's Ekamai area. Admission is free with the exhibition running until Dec 26. Pattanapong Hirunard
The premier had just presided over an event at the Science Centre for Education, based at the Bangkok Planetarium on Sukhumvit Road, when the accident happened.
Shortly after the premier's motorcade left the premises to return to Government House, a branch about 30cm wide snapped off a roadside tree.
The falling branch narrowly missed the Mercedes-Benz carrying Gen Prayut, but it hit two security guards on a motorcycle riding beside his vehicle.
The motorcycle was knocked over and skidded for about 10 metres along the road. The two security guards were slightly injured. The left door of Gen Prayut's vehicle sustained minor scratches from broken pieces of the branch.
Gen Prayut instructed the head of the security team to ensure the guards were well looked after.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon played down suggestions the accident might be a bad omen. "Accidents can always happen," he said.
One of the two injured security guards in the motorcade of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha rests on a pavement on Sukhumvit Road after he was hit by a falling branch.