SURAT THANI - One man died and eight other people were seriously injured when the passenger van they were travelling in crashed into a tree on the road median strip in Tha Chana district shortly before dawn on Thursday.
The fatal crash occurred between kilometre makers 102 and 103 at Srithong village in tambon Khanthuree, said Pol Capt Pichit Khaosuwan, a deputy investigation chief at Tha Chana police station. It was reported to police around 5.30am.
He said the van was carrying 13 passengers and left Bangkok about 8pm on Wednesday for Phrasaeng district in Surat Thani.
While passing through Tha Chana district the driver, Kawee Khwankaew, 56, lost control of the vehicle, which veered onto the dividing strip and crashed into a tree.
Nine people were seriously hurt and were taken to Tha Chana Hospital, where one of them was pronounced dead. He had not been identified.
Police were investigating.