SURAT THANI- Five people were killed, including two children, and eight others injured when their van skidded off a road and overturned in Chaiya district on Wednesday morning when they were returning from a graduation ceremony.
The accident happened on Asia Road No 41 between Bangkok and Surat Thani in Chaiya district of this southern province , said Pol Capt Chairit Khaosuwan, a deputy investigation chief at Chaiya police station. It was reported to police about 6.39am.
The van, with a Krabi licence plate, was carrying the driver and 12 family members from Chon Buri back to Krabi. It ran off the road, hit a tree and overturned.
The force of the crash killed three people instantly and injured 10 others. Two of the injured were later pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital. The eight injured survivors comprised three men, three women and two children.
The three first victims who died at the scene were identified as Ms Wannee Jongrak, 37, Ms Somjai Budnoi, 58, and a seven-year-old boy, Time Sutok.
The two others who died were Sitthisak Sutok, kamnan of tambon Khlong Pon in Krabi’s Khlong Thom district, and his daughter Prapada Jongrak, 4. Mr Sitthisak was also owner of Krabi's famous Nittaya shrimp paste company.
Police said the 13 people were returning home to Kabi from a graduation ceremony at Burapha University in Chon Buri. Police believed the driver, Vorachet Chonlathee, who sustained minor injuries, fell asleep at the wheel, which then ran off the road and crashed.
They were investigating.