British family injured as van ends up in Rayong klong – Thai female guide is dead

A British family who rented a van from Ban Phe (Koh Samet) to Bangkok ended up submerged in a klong Wednesday as the driver of the vehicle lost control on Route 36.

Villagers rushed to extricate the family and Thai driver but were unable to save the female guide who was reportedly stuck in her seatbelt as the van sank in Klong Yai canal.

The British family are all recovering in Sri Rayong hospital. The driver Akhom Khumkhainam, 47, is in a serious condition in Rayong Hospital.

Guide Kanokrat Chaicharoensawat, 44, a native of Ayuthaya was pronounced dead at the scene. She was sitting next to the driver.

The accident happened at the Klong Yai bridge in in the Chern Nern area heading in the direction of Pattaya.

Police are investigating but as yet do not know for sure what happened. They suspect the driver either nodded off or had swerved to miss a trailer and lost control of the Toyotas Commuter van ending up in the klong on its side.

Investigations continue.

Thai Visa / Thairath

Stay updated with Samui Times by following us on Facebook.