Student dies in freak accident, palm sickle slashes his throat

Community alarmed by carriage of agricultural tools on public roads.

PUBLISHED : 16 Jun 2026 at 12:13

A 17-year-old student was killed by a palm-harvesting sickle protruding from a motorcycle sidecar while on his way to school in Surat Thani.

The tragic accident was reported to Chaiya district police about 7.34am on Monday.

Emergency responders, including a doctor from Chaiya Hospital, were dispatched to the scene on the Ban Singkhon–Wat Takian road in Moo 3, tambon Thung.

They found Chitsanuphong Ruangsawat, 17, a Year 12 student at Chaiya Wittaya School, lying dead on the edge of the grass verge. He was wearing his school uniform, which was covered with blood. His black Honda motorcycle was lying nearby.

Investigators said the teenager had sustained a catastrophic neck wound caused by a palm sickle.

The driver of the sidecar motorcycle, 63-year-old Thammanoon Borka, a local resident, was taken into custody for questioning by Chaiya police.

The sidecar had been carrying three palm-harvesting sickles, the long blades and handles extending approximately two metres beyond the front of the motorcycle. Police said the vehicle appeared to have emerged from a residence and was turning onto the road as the student's motorcycle approached.

The student's motorcycle collided with the front of the sidecar motorcycle. The impact apparently caused one of the sickles to swing violently, striking him across the neck and inflicting a fatal injury.

Following the accident, local residents lodged complaints with both police and district authorities, raising longstanding concerns over the transportation of agricultural tools on public roads.

Residents said that every morning, groups of four to five palm plantation workers drive sidecar motorcycles through the area with two or three palm sickles protruding one to two metres ahead of their motorcycles. The blades were frequently uncovered and posed a serious threat to the safety of other road users.

The police investigation was continuing.