Motorcycles Collide in Front of Famous Phitsanulok Temple — 1 Dead, Several Injured; Locals Fear for Road Safety

In the early morning of August 7, 2016, a multi-motorcycle collision occurred in front of Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan in Phitsanulok municipality. The crash left one person dead and several others injured. rescue workers and traffic police cleared the scene and transported the injured to the Naresuan University Medical Center and Phutthachinnarat Hospital.

According to a preliminary investigation by officers from Mueang Phitsanulok Police Station, the accident happened on a main road that experiences heavy traffic in the morning. Several motorcycles were traveling at speed when the first two bikes collided, triggering subsequent sideswipes involving multiple other motorcycles. The deceased was a middle-aged man who owned a small shop in the area; he was taken to hospital but later died. Two people were seriously injured, while several others sustained minor injuries and were able to return home after treatment.

The incident alarmed residents and business owners in the neighborhood because the area in front of the temple is used by cars, motorcycles and tourists visiting the province’s important temple. Small vendors said traffic is congested in the morning and evening and many vehicles park roadside, increasing the risk of accidents due to limited visibility for drivers. The mayor of Phitsanulok municipality said he would request relevant agencies to consider preventive measures, including installing warning signs, clearly designating traffic lanes, and increasing traffic patrols during peak hours.

Doctors and nurses treating the injured reported that many suffered abrasions and injuries from being thrown off their bikes, with shoulders and legs commonly affected. A physician in the emergency department warned that serious injuries may not be immediately apparent, so those involved should receive thorough medical examinations before going home. Besides medical care, the hospitals coordinated with the municipal public health office to provide information on rehabilitation and infection prevention for the injured.

The impact on the community goes beyond the loss of life and injuries; it also highlights problems with the city’s traffic system and road safety in an area with heavy tourist and public traffic. Roadside business representatives urged local authorities to strictly regulate parking around the temple and consider installing crosswalks or temporary traffic lights during peak times to improve safety. Some tourists expressed dissatisfaction with the risky traffic conditions and called for speed control measures in residential and tourist areas.

Police will continue the investigation to determine the exact cause of the collision, including reviewing nearby CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses. If reckless driving or drunk driving is found, legal action will be taken. Authorities say the incident should serve as a lesson for local agencies and the community to cooperate on short- and long-term measures to prevent similar tragedies in areas with heavy public and tourist traffic.