Police arrived at the scene, near Wat Phra Thong in Tambon Thepkrasattri, at 11:30am to find Suprawat Kaniengkarn, 19, unconscious in the middle of the road and traffic backed up on southbound lanes.
One witness told police that the motorbike was heading southbound at speed when the truck slowed down and the driver signaled to make a left turn.
“The motorbike swerved to avoid slamming into the truck, but hit the tree instead,” said Maj Nattaya Supanpong of the Thalang Police.
“The truck driver said he signaled to make his turn into a tyre repair shop and thought that drivers behind him would pay attention and slow down,” he added.
However, although the truck was attempting to turn left from the centre lane, Maj Nattaya said he had yet to press charges against either driver over the accident.
“We have yet to talk with Suprawat, as he is still in hospital, and hence we have yet to determine who – if anyone should faces charges,” he said.
Mr Suprawat was initially taken to Thalang Hospital and later transfered to Vachira hospital in Phuket Town, where he has regained consciousness and is recovering from a head injury and a broken right arm.
He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.