The fatal crash occurred on Phra Baramee Rd near the “landslide curve” on Patong Hill at about 5:30am, according to Patong Police Station.
Pol Lt Col Chanan Mekchai, the investigating officer on duty, received a report at 5:39am that a motorcycle had collided with a car on the downhill stretch of the road. Emergency responders transported the injured rider to hospital.
At the scene, officers found a Honda Wave motorcycle registered in Phuket lying in the lane for traffic travelling from Kathu towards Patong. The front of the motorcycle showed signs of heavy impact.
A black Honda sedan registered in Phatthalung was found stopped in the opposite lane, facing towards Kathu, with damage to the front right side of the vehicle.
The motorcyclist, named by police as 35-year-old Suksan Thayaeng, a native of Maha Sarakham Province, was initially taken to Patong Hospital for treatment.
The car driver, identified by police as 36-year-old Chanwit Thongmisuk of Phuket Town, remained at the scene and identified himself to officers. A breathalyser test conducted later at Patong Police Station showed a blood-alcohol reading of zero, police confirmed.
According to the preliminary investigation, the sedan was travelling from Kathu towards Patong while the motorcycle was heading downhill in the opposite direction. Police said the road at the point of impact is downhill and curved, and the motorcycle is believed to have veered into the oncoming lane, resulting in the collision.
At 7:13am, police were notified by Patong Hospital that the motorcyclist had succumbed to his injuries.
Both vehicles have been impounded at Patong Police Station for further examination.
Police said they will now review CCTV footage in the area, question witnesses and gather additional evidence as part of the ongoing investigation.