CHACHOENGSAO, Thailand – A late-night crash on Highway 304 in Phanom Sarakham district ended with an electric vehicle engulfed in flames after it slammed into a concrete barrier, with the driver escaping moments before the vehicle was destroyed. Police were called to the scene on the Phanom Sarakham–Khao Hin Son section of Highway 304 in front of a PTT service station in Tha Than subdistrict shortly after the accident on Aug. 9.
The vehicle had reportedly lost control while travelling through a temporary diversion near an ongoing underpass construction project. It struck a concrete barrier before flames broke out in the engine compartment and rapidly spread through the vehicle. The driver managed to open the door and escape without injury. He told police that he was unfamiliar with the temporary traffic arrangement at the construction site and lost control while passing through the diversion.
The driver initially remained near the vehicle to collect personal belongings and documents. About two minutes after the crash, however, he noticed flames coming from the engine compartment and immediately moved away from the vehicle before contacting his insurance company. The fire eventually destroyed the vehicle, while authorities secured the area and began examining the scene. Police are continuing to investigate the exact cause of the crash and assess the extent of the damage. The incident also highlights the risks posed by temporary traffic diversions around major road construction projects, particularly for drivers unfamiliar with the route.
