Two Monks Injured in Collision on Mittraphap Road

On the morning of August 16, 2026, a serious traffic accident occurred at a U-turn point on the Mittraphap Road (KM 45-46) in the Klang Dong sub-district of Nakhon Ratchasima. According to Khaosod Online, the incident involved a white Nissan pickup truck transporting two monks who were returning from their morning alms round.

Local authorities, including the Klang Dong Police Station, reported that an 18-year-old driver in a separate pickup truck collided with the monks' vehicle. The impact caused the monks' truck to veer off the road and into a wooded area, with the vehicle's canopy detaching upon impact. Both monks were ejected from the vehicle and sustained serious injuries. Emergency response teams from local municipalities and Pak Chong Nana Hospital were dispatched to the scene to provide medical assistance.

For travelers and residents, this incident highlights the ongoing risks associated with U-turn points on major highways like the Mittraphap Road, which is a primary artery connecting Bangkok to the Northeast. While the immediate emergency response was swift, the investigation into the exact cause of the collision—including potential factors such as speed or visibility at the U-turn—remains ongoing by local police. Travelers are advised to exercise extreme caution when navigating U-turns on high-speed routes, as these areas remain frequent sites for traffic accidents.