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A tree fell on a car on the road near Pak Meng Beach in Trang Province on the morning of November 10, 2026. According to provincial authorities, the driver died at the scene and the passenger suffered serious injuries. The incident happened on a coastal road in the Sikao district. Current as of November 11, 2026.
After the tragedy, the governor ordered urgent checks of large trees along tourist routes, especially near Pak Meng. For now, this is an order to conduct an inspection, not a completed check. Police are still determining the cause of the incident and whether anyone may bear legal responsibility for it. If you plan to travel to this part of the province, follow the latest announcements from local authorities, as road conditions may change.
What We Know
According to Khaosod, police received a report of the falling tree around the 08:40 morning of November 10. That is when the report came in, not the confirmed moment the tree fell. The trunk crashed down onto the car from above and crushed the roof on the driver’s side. Other risks of car travel can be read in the article on road safety in Thailand.
The official statement from Trang Province confirmed the driver’s death and the passenger’s serious injuries. According to the Matichon newspaper, the woman was first taken to Sikao Hospital and then transferred to Trang Hospital. The Khaosod report also describes damage to about 100 meters of power lines, a shop, a canopy and a parked pickup truck.
According to provincial authorities, the tree was more than 30 meters tall. Matichon, however, gives a different estimate: over 15 meters. Both figures are published as estimates; there is no single confirmed exact measurement.
Tree Falls on Car: Circumstances of the Tragedy at Pak Meng
According to Matichon, the deceased driver was 29 years old, and he served in the border police. The passenger was 31 years old, and she worked as a nurse. The outlet reports that the woman sustained a neck injury, including damage to a cervical vertebra; the published reports do not give any prognosis for her health.
The Sikao district chief pointed out that trees in the Pak Meng Beach area had fallen before, damaging power lines, shops, houses and cars. He also mentioned unstable weather and strong wind, but the cause of this fall is still being determined. Police are investigating the circumstances of the incident, including whether people or agencies may bear responsibility. For now, weather cannot be treated as a proven cause, and no agency can be considered at fault.
How Authorities Are Checking Trees Along Tourist Roads
The governor of Trang ordered an urgent inspection of large trees along main tourist roads, with particular attention to the Pak Meng area. As stated in the official statement from Trang Province, the task is to identify hazardous trees and branches and take measures, including pruning branches or dealing with trees that could fall. Authorities also reported providing initial financial assistance to the victims.
According to Banmuang, the district chief asked the management of Hat Chao Mai National Park to check the condition of the fallen tree and the causes of the incident. Matichon, citing the district administration, reports that the trees in this area are under the responsibility of the national park, while the road itself falls under the Trang provincial road administration. Such a division of responsibilities does not by itself establish legal fault. There is still no confirmation that the inspection has been completed or that all hazardous trees have been removed.
What to Do
If you plan to visit Pak Meng Beach, follow standard precautions. In strong wind, it is best not to linger under large trees or leave your car near visibly damaged trunks or overhanging branches. These are recommendations for travelers, not restrictions announced by the authorities.
Do not approach downed wires, damaged canopies or other dangerous structures. On site, follow instructions from staff and announcements from local authorities; useful tips are collected in the article on what to do in an emergency in Thailand.
Confirmed data on a closure of all of Pak Meng Beach is not available, but this does not mean that the safety of every stretch of road has been checked. Conditions and possible restrictions may change. Before you travel, check the latest official announcements from the authorities of Trang Province.