Five die in one-car accident

PHUKET CITY: Five Thai tourists from Krabi died after the pickup they were traveling in slammed into a power pole near Super Cheap on Thepkrasattri Rd early yesterday morning.

The tourists were driving back to Krabi about 5 am when the driver lost control of the car, which careered off the road and into a power pole in front of Sor Khaotom restaurant, next to Super Cheap, Duty Inspector Pol Maj Russada Kluengwong of Phuket Police Station told the Gazette.

“The driver was Chumpon Hemphithak, 28. The passengers who died were Theeraphat Tepbud, 21, Tawan Tepbud, 18, Passakorn Pet-awut, 18, and Narin Kundee, 18.

“The only survivor is Anirut Yangkoon, 18,” Maj Russada said.

“We believe the driver did not know the road well or might have dozed off, but from the autopsy there was no alcohol in his blood,” he added.