Fuel tanker overturns on Phitsanulok–Sukhothai road; authorities rush to contain spill and limit impact

On the morning of August 6, 2016, a fuel tanker overturned on the Phitsanulok–Sukhothai road in the Ban Rai–Thap Phaen Hin area, temporarily closing the northbound lane toward Phitsanulok and causing a partial fuel leak. municipal fire and rescue teams from nearby subdistricts, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), and highway police moved in to control the situation within hours of the crash.

Preliminary checks showed the 10-wheel tanker was carrying about 15,000 liters of fuel, traveling from the north toward Phitsanulok city. The driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital. Investigators say the probable cause was a tire blowout at speed, combined with sections of winding, rough road. Traffic officers closed both directions for safety while relevant agencies worked to contain the leak.

The Phitsanulok Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office reported that water barriers and absorbent materials were deployed to prevent fuel from seeping into nearby irrigation canals and agricultural land. The provincial environmental team collected water samples from nearby points to assess environmental impacts. Rescue units coordinated with the vehicle owner and the insurer to remove the tanker and liquid waste from the road surface as soon as possible.

The incident disrupted travel for residents and traders who use the route as a primary agricultural transport corridor for several hours. Local transport businesses had to detour onto secondary roads, increasing travel time and affecting deliveries that day, particularly for seasonal fruits and vegetables that require fast transport. Local authorities set up temporary help points to assist travelers and provide detour information. Tourists planning visits to nearby attractions, such as Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat in Phitsanulok, were advised to allow extra travel time or contact the Department of Highways before traveling.

Beyond traffic and environmental impacts, the fuel leak raised short-term water-quality concerns among communities along the canals. The Phitsanulok governor ordered the Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office to inspect damage to riverside ecosystems; if contamination is found, restoration and compensation measures will be implemented and farmers who rely on the water for irrigation will be notified.

The Department of Land Transport and the provincial transport office warned operators to check vehicle conditions before departure, especially tires, brakes, and liquid-carrying systems, and to enforce stricter safety measures to reduce the risk of repeat accidents. In the longer term, the province plans to consult relevant agencies to improve high-risk sections of the main route, raise tanker safety standards, and provide driver training.

A municipal and district hotline was opened for people affected by the incident to report damage and request assistance. As of the latest update, one lane was reopened after rescue and environmental teams brought the leak under control, but cleanup and safe removal of the overturned tanker remain ongoing.