The force of the impact shattered one power pole and the van came to a stop only when it hit the next power pole.
Police were called to the scene of the accident, on the Thepkrasattri-Nai Yang Rd (Route 4031), at 3:20pm, reported Lt Kraisorn Boonprasop of the Thalang Police.
There were ten people in the van: eight Chinese tourists, one tour guide and the driver, Ketsinee Rachana, 36.
“Six Chinese tourists were injured,” Lt Kraisorn explained. “Five suffered minor injuries and one had a broken arm.”
The van was taking the tourists to Phuket International Airport when the accident happened, Lt Kraisorn added.
“The two passengers who were not injured were taken to the airport so they could board their flight home,” he said.
Ms Kedsinee, the driver of the van, which was registered in Phang Nga Province, told police that she dozed off at the wheel, Lt Kraisorn noted.
Regardless, Lt Kraisorn said, “She was taken to Thalang Hospital for doctors to check for drugs and alcohol.”
Ms Kedsinee already faces a charge of reckless driving, he confirmed.