A Chilean cyclist's quest to cycle around the world in five years ended prematurely on Saturday when he was hit by a pickup truck in northeast Thailand.
Juan Francisco Guillermo, 47, poses with his bicycle.
Juan Francisco Guillermo, 47, who charted his journey on social media and struck up friendships with many in his travels, was killed instantly in the accident on the Mitraphap Highway between kilometre markers 247 and 248 at tambon Nong Wa of Nakhon Ratchasima's Bua Lai district.
Bua Lai police station superintendent Pol Col Torsak Thammingmongkol said Tiwarat Chaipidech, 64, the driver of the truck, was arrested on a charge of causing death by dangerous driving and released on bail. The offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
"It was an accident caused by the driver's recklessness. The road was straight and the cyclist was in his own lane," Pol Col Torsak said.
Pol Lt Banthoon Srithiang, an investigator at Bua Lai police station, said the driver told investigators he was ready to take responsibility for the accident.
According to police and accounts on social media, Guillermo was trying to set a Guinness World Record by cycling 250,000 kilometres on five continents over five years. His journey started from Chile in November 2010 and was scheduled to end in November this year. His final destination was Australia.
Guillermo's Singaporean wife Ng-Poh Leng, 40, who was on another bicycle with their two-year-old son, suffered a broken left leg in the accident while their son was slightly injured. Both are being treated at Bua Yai Hospital and are in satisfactory condition, said Pichet Dechakhampu, an official from the Ministry of Sports and Tourism in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Mr Pichet and tourist police who visited Guillermo's wife and son yesterday said tourists killed or injured in Thailand could be paid up to 300,000 baht and 100,000 baht in compensation respectively.