Phuket van crash kills Russian woman, injures 11 others

*A Russian woman was killed, and 11 other Russian nationals were injured in a Phuket van crash on Thep Kasattri Road in Thalang district in the early hours of today, March 18, while travelling to Similan Island in Phang…*

Published: 2026-03-19 19:12 UTC Event date: 2026-03-18

Russian Tourist Killed, 11 Injured in Phuket Van Crash on Thep Kasattri Road

A Russian woman was killed and eleven other Russian nationals were injured when a passenger van crashed on Thep Kasattri Road in Thalang district, Phuket, in the early hours of March 18, 2026. The group was en route from Karon sub-district, Phuket, to Similan Island in Phang Nga province when the accident occurred. Thachatchai Police Station received notification of the crash at approximately 4:00am.

Emergency Response and Rescue Efforts in Thalang District

Upon arrival at the scene, officers from Thachatchai Police Station were joined by rescuers from the Kusol Dham Phuket Foundation and a medical team from Thalang Hospital. The van, which was carrying 12 Russian tourists, had collided with a street light, and a broken guardrail had penetrated the vehicle’s front, shattering the windscreen. Three injured passengers were trapped inside the wreckage and required metal-cutting equipment for extraction. All injured individuals were transported to Thalang Hospital, Mission Hospital, and Vachira Hospital for treatment.

Driver’s Statement and Ongoing Crash Investigation

The van driver, identified as 41-year-old Denchai, was not injured in the crash. Denchai told police he had slowed down after seeing a trailer ahead but then lost control of the vehicle, resulting in the collision with the street light. He denied being under the influence of alcohol or falling asleep at the wheel. Police have not yet taken legal action against Denchai, and the exact cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Context and Recent Similar Incidents

This fatal Phuket van crash follows a similar incident in Pathum Thani on March 17, 2026, where a sedan collided with a guardrail, resulting in the death of 33-year-old Thai driver Pratin. Police in both cases are reviewing evidence to determine the circumstances leading to the accidents. Authorities in Phuket have not released the identity of the deceased Russian woman and have not provided updates on the condition of the injured tourists. Investigations are ongoing, and further details are expected as police continue to review the case.

Source: https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/phuket-van-crash-kills-russian-woman-and-injures-11-others