A relaxing evening stroll turned into a nightmare for a German family vacationing in Khao Lak when a speeding pickup truck plowed into them at a marked crosswalk, leaving both parents fighting for their lives while their toddler miraculously escaped unscathed.

Two German Pedestrians Seriously Injured After Being Hit by Sedan in Pattaya

The horrific collision occurred at 5 PM on April 15 near Bang Niang Beach, when a considerate motorist had stopped to let the family cross. Dashcam footage shows the moment a modified pickup—driven by 60-year-old local man Choei—barreled past the stopped vehicle and slammed into parents P.D.L., 34, and L.R., 32, as they pushed their 23-month-old son in a stroller. In a stroke of luck, the impact sent the stroller rolling safely to the roadside while the parents suffered catastrophic injuries.

“This happens almost weekly here,” said Lertsak Ponklin of the Phang Nga Tourism Business Association, pointing to the notorious crossing where drivers routinely ignore pedestrian right-of-way. The victims were airlifted to Khao Lak Hospital in critical condition, while their traumatized child was examined and declared unharmed.

German family struck by pickup taxi while using crosswalk in Khao Lak
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A German family of three — father, mother and young child — was struck by a pickup truck taxi while crossing a zebra crossing near Bang Niang Beach in Khao Lak, Phang Nga province.
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Dashcam footage of the… pic.twitter.com/AQSWcfjkFw

— Thenationthailand (@Thenationth) April 16, 2025

The arrested driver now faces reckless driving charges, but the incident has reignited fury over Thailand’s deadly road culture—particularly in tourist areas where zebra crossings prove no match for speeding vehicles. Authorities are investigating whether the crossing’s warning lights were functional, as this marks at least the third high-profile crash involving foreign pedestrians at this location since 2022.

Drivers Warned of Increased Fine for Failure to Stop for Pedestrians at Crosswalks

With the German couple still hospitalized and their child’s guardianship unclear, the accident serves as yet another grim reminder of the risks visitors face on Thailand’s roads—even when following all safety precautions.

-Thailand News (TN)