A 75-year-old British woman has died after being struck by a car while crossing a road in Thailand, local police have confirmed.
Details of the fatal collision
The incident occurred at approximately 1pm local time on Wednesday, 4 December 2024, on the Bang Kruai–Sai Noi Road in Nonthaburi, an area just outside Bangkok. The woman, who was carrying shopping bags at the time, was hit by a fast-moving white SUV.
Officers arriving at the scene, located near Sai Noi hospital, found the victim with severe head and neck injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, identified by local media as a 40-year-old woman named Jarunan, was arrested and has been charged with reckless driving causing death.
Driver's account and community reaction
Footage shared on social media appears to show the SUV travelling at speed before attempting to brake and colliding with the pedestrian. "I feel terrible that she had to lose her life. If she had only been injured, she could have recovered," Jarunan told police, with reports stating she was in shock following the crash.
Local official Somsak Duangsano, deputy mayor of Sai Noi subdistrict, revealed that he knew the British woman and her husband, as they frequently attended matches for the Nonthaburi football team. The couple had lived in Thailand for eight years.
"They had booked a place in Pattaya where they had planned to celebrate Christmas together," he said, adding that he was prepared to arrange a Thai Buddhist ceremony for the woman.
Thailand's dangerous roads
This tragic event highlights a severe national issue. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) data, Thailand ranks as the ninth deadliest country in the world for road users out of 175 member states.
WHO estimates indicate there were 18,218 road traffic deaths in Thailand in 2021 alone, averaging around 50 fatalities every day. The situation is particularly acute for motorcyclists, who account for a staggering 83.8% of all traffic deaths in the country.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has been contacted for comment regarding the death of the British national.
