PHITSANULOK: A 18-wheel trailer truck crashed into a roadside market in Bang Krathum district shortly after sunrise on Friday, killing one man and badly injuring a woman after hitting 11 parked vehicles.
Early risers shopping for food and other goods to make merit on Friday, a holy day, scattered in fear of their lives.
The crash happened at Wat Tayom market in tambon Wat Tayom around 6.30am, said Pol Lt Col Jiangroon Jaisawang, duty officer at Nernkum police station.
The 18-wheel trailer truck, with Saraburi plates, was loaded with cassava root. It came to a halt with its crumpled front inside the market, after hitting vending stalls and many parked vehicles. Vegetables and other goods were strewn about the area.
A man was found dead beneath the trailer truck. He had been run over by a wheel. He was identified as Samarn Luenfa, 49, of Phichit province.
A woman, identified as Boonruang Boonnamsaeng, 60, of Bang Krathum district, was seriously hurt and rushed to a hospital.
The careering goods truck broke two power poles and hit 11 other vehicles - a six-wheel truck, eight pickup trucks and two motorcycles - in front of the market.
The driver Thavorn Noppawan, 64, was waiting at the scene when police arrived.
Police suspect he dozed off behind the wheel. The truck was travelling alone on a long straight road at the time.
Mr Thavorn was held in custody for legal action. Police were investigating.
The laden cassava truck came to rest with its front inside the market after hitting 11 other vehicles, killing one man and seriously injuring a woman at Wat Tayom market in Phitsanulok's Bang Krathum district on Friday morning. (Photo by Chinnawat Singha)