PATTAYA, Thailand – A 38-year-old man from Amnat Charoen province was killed after being struck by a freight train near Pattaya on Sunday night, with police investigating the circumstances that led to him being found lying across the railway tracks. Police in Na Jomtien were alerted at around 9:00 p.m. on June 15 to a fatal train accident on the railway line approximately 300 metres behind the Pattaya Floating Market in Na Jomtien, Sattahip. Emergency responders and rescue volunteers arrived to find freight train No. 553, carrying 25 shipping containers, stopped at the scene. The train driver appeared visibly shaken as he waited to speak with investigators.
The victim’s body had been struck and dragged by the train, leaving remains scattered along more than 100 meters of track. Police later discovered a black shoulder bag containing cash and an identification card belonging to Sabaidee Roopsai, 38. Investigators also found a red GPX motorcycle abandoned in tall grass approximately 20 to 30 meters from the railway line. The motorcycle appeared to have left the road and crashed into the roadside vegetation. Nearby were a black full-face helmet, a bottle containing kratom drink, and a pair of sandals found beside the tracks. According to the train driver, he was transporting cargo containers from Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong to Kaeng Khoi district in Saraburi when the incident occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m.
The driver said visibility was poor due to darkness, and he suddenly spotted a person lying across the railway tracks only a short distance ahead. He immediately sounded the horn and attempted to slow the train, but the man did not move. Unable to stop in time, the train struck the victim. The driver then brought the train to a halt and notified authorities. Police said there were no eyewitnesses to the incident. However, rescue services reported receiving an earlier call at around 6:20 p.m. regarding a motorcycle that had apparently left the road near ongoing roadworks along the railway route. Volunteers responding to that call were unable to locate any injured person at the time.
Authorities believe the abandoned motorcycle found near the fatality scene may belong to the victim and are now investigating whether the earlier reported crash is connected to the man’s death.
Police are working to establish the exact sequence of events and determine why the victim was on the tracks before the collision. Detectives have been assigned to examine all possible circumstances surrounding the incident. The body has been sent for further examination as the investigation continues.
