Phuket Municipality Disaster Prevention and Mitigation officials arrived at the scene, the car park beside the Cham-Cha Local Market on Ranong Rd near Jui Tui Shrine, to find a Toyota pickup truck registered in Phang Nga with the large tree still resting on it.
The impact from the falling tree had left the pickup with considerable damage.
Local residents said there was a strong gust of wind during In the middle of the night, which they believed was responsible for causing the tree to topple. At the base of the tree were signs of heavy decay.
The owner of the pickup, who asked to be named as Sumalai Thepthavee, 49, said he had parked his pickup under the said tree between 2am and 3 am, He then went into the market to prepare his stall to serve customers this morning.
While he was inside, a strong wind blew. causing the tree to fall on his pickup, Mr Sumalai said.
The damage to his pickup was substantial, he said.
Phuket Municipality disaster prevention officials cut the tree into manageable segments before hauling the cuttings away.
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts more thundershowers across Phuket overnight, with winds gusting up to 26km/h.