A night of Songkran revelry turned to terror in Chachoengsao when a speeding pickup truck, driven by an allegedly drunk motorist, barreled into a crowd of festival-goers, sending bodies sprawling and triggering a violent backlash from furious bystanders. The horrifying incident unfolded around 7:20 PM on April 14 in Ban Khlong Udom, Sanam Chai Khet district, where the white pickup truck suddenly accelerated into the packed street, leaving at least a dozen injured—six seriously.

Thai Government Urges Respectful Behavior During Songkran

Panic erupted as witnesses described victims being flung aside, with one person trapped beneath the vehicle. Quick-thinking locals rushed to lift the truck and free the pinned individual while others tended to the wounded before rescue teams arrived. The Phanom Rescue Association scrambled ambulances and volunteers to the chaotic scene, transporting ten injured to hospitals while two others refused treatment.

A drunk man in his 30s rammed his speeding pickup truck into a crowd of Songkran festival revellers and injured many people in Sanam Chai Khet district on Monday night.

Get audio & full story in the link in the 1st comment.#BangkokPost #Thailand #Chachoengsao #Songkran pic.twitter.com/iqZSDM2yt3

— Bangkok Post (@BangkokPostNews) April 15, 2025

But the shock of the crash soon turned to rage as the crowd turned on the driver—a man in his 30s—smashing the truck’s windows and dragging him out in a furious mob attack. Police barely managed to pull the bloodied suspect away from the beating before taking him into custody. Initial alcohol tests reportedly confirmed he was intoxicated, though witnesses claimed he deliberately sped into the crowd, raising suspicions of intent.

Thailand Gears Up for Record-Breaking Songkran 2025

Authorities have filed drunk driving charges but are still investigating whether the act was premeditated. The incident has cast a dark shadow over Songkran celebrations, reigniting debates over road safety and alcohol control during Thailand’s most festive holiday. As victims recover, locals demand justice—and answers—for what they call a preventable tragedy.

-Thailand News (TN)