Thanyakorn Densirimongkol, 31, died in hospital around 3.30am today (May 5) and two fellow cyclists were injured after a car hit them on Ratchada-Ram Intra Road, in front of the Bangkok Boulevard housing estate, at 10pm yesterday (April 4).
Khok Khram police found the wreckage of three bicycles and a black Honda Jazz about 50 metres away, but the motorist had fled the scene.
The fatal accident was the second in 40 hours. On Sunday morning (April 3) in Chiang Mai, a drunk, 23-year-old university student rammed her car into a group of cyclists in Wing Pa Pao district, killing three and injuring two. She was charged yersterday with reckless driving resulting in death and injury. (See story here)
In yesterday's accident, Thanyakorn was admitted in critical condition and died about five hours later. Nikom Chenpimai, 36, went into surgery while another unidentified cyclist suffered shoulder, elbow and leg injuries.
Witnesses told the police that the three bikers were together in the left lane of the outbound Ratchada-Ram Intra Road. The Honda behind them was weaving on the road and hit the moving group. The Jazz then hit a barrier before spinning onto the centre island.
A young man emerged from the car, looked at the bikers and ran away, witnesses said.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday ordered police to step up checks on drunk drivers (see story here) while the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said it will survey bicycle lanes around Rattanakosin Island this month with a view to increasing the number of cycling routes in the capital.