A 47-year-old man in Thailand is facing serious charges after a heartbreaking accident in which he accidentally accelerated and struck his own mother, killing her.
Incident Details at Udon Thani Province
The tragic event unfolded on 11 July 2025 in Udon Thani province, northeast Thailand. The family had travelled from Bangkok to visit a temple during the holiday period to offer alms. Because the temple grounds were crowded, the man, identified as Nawi Songwannam, dropped off his 75-year-old mother, Pathum Songwannam, at the roadside so she could begin her almsgiving.
After making a U-turn to return to the spot, Nawi accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake and hit his mother, who was waiting for her turn. The impact was fatal.
Immediate Aftermath and Charges
Police arrived at the scene to find Nawi beside his mother’s body, visibly distraught and in tears. He told reporters that the accident was unintentional and expressed deep remorse, stating, “I wanted my mother to enjoy the holiday happily, but instead, I caused a tragedy with my own hands.”
Nawi has since been charged with reckless driving causing death.
Family Reaction and Public Sympathy
Nawi’s sister, Phon, was nearby during the incident and narrowly avoided injury herself by jumping out of the way in time. The entire family is reportedly devastated by the loss.
This tragic case serves as a somber reminder about the importance of vigilance when driving, especially in crowded or complex environments such as temple grounds.