An elderly Thai woman was fatally struck on a zebra crossing in Bangkok’s Rat Burana district on the evening of November 26, leading to a dramatic chase as witnesses pursued the fleeing motorcyclist. The incident occurred at approximately 8:19pm on Pracha Uthit Road, near Soi Pracha Uthit 4, shocking nearby residents and raising renewed questions about road safety in the capital.
Police officers from Rat Burana Police Station and rescuers from the Ruam Katanyu Foundation arrived quickly at the scene. They found the 80-year-old victim, identified as Amnuay, lying unconscious on the roadway with a severe head injury and multiple abrasions. Her white tote bag and walking stick were discovered next to her, indicating she had been slowly crossing the marked pedestrian zone when the collision occurred.
Rescuers immediately began CPR, as the woman’s vital signs were extremely weak. She was rushed to Suksawat Hospital, but despite medical efforts, she was later pronounced dead. According to local reports, Amnuay was a retired teacher from Chetupon Commercial College and was well-known in her community.
A heavily damaged black and red Zongshen Ryuka motorcycle, registration 6 กฉ 6336 Bangkok, was located nearby with a shattered headlamp and broken meter panel. Police identified the rider as 21-year-old Pakistani national Vichan. He told officers that he had been riding to the market and was traveling from the Na Luang intersection toward KM.9 when he encountered several pedestrians crossing the road. He claimed he could not brake in time and insisted that he had not been speeding, adding that he believed he had only struck the victim’s arm.
However, eyewitnesses strongly contradicted his account. Nopparat Duangsi, a 28-year-old who witnessed the crash, stated that the victim was properly using the zebra crossing when the motorcyclist approached at high speed. According to Nopparat, he made no attempt to slow down or brake, and the impact was so forceful that the elderly woman was thrown more than 20 meters across the road.
Following the collision, witnesses reported that the rider attempted to flee the scene. Several bystanders immediately chased after him, ultimately managing to detain him until police arrived. Their rapid action prevented the suspect from escaping and ensured authorities could begin their investigation without delay.
Police are now reviewing CCTV footage from the area and plan to conduct further questioning to determine whether speed, negligence, or other factors contributed to the fatal crash. Charges have not yet been finalized, pending the completion of the investigation.
Residents in the area have voiced concerns about speeding motorcycles and repeated violations of pedestrian right-of-way on Pracha Uthit Road. Many hope that this tragic incident will prompt stricter enforcement of traffic laws, especially around zebra crossings where pedestrians expect safe passage.
The case continues to draw public attention, both for the heartbreaking loss of a respected elderly woman and for the actions of the witnesses who refused to let the rider escape accountability.
