Police said a Cambodian girl and the car driver were severely injured while four other Cambodian passengers travelling the van sustained slight injuries. Eyewitnesses told police that the car driver, Chaiwat Saithong, 20, was driving to his university when he lost control of his car, crossing over the traffic median and crashing with the van, driven by Thirapong Suphonok, 28.
Thirapong was killed along with a Cambodian boy, 11, and three Cambodian women.
Police put Chaiwat, who was rushed to a nearby hospital, under custody and will charge him later.
The owner of the van, Charas Daenthaisong, 52, said his driver was transporting the Cambodian migrants from the Prathunam area in Bangkok to the Rong Klua Market in Sa Kaew’s Aranyaprathet district where they would cross the border at the Klong Luek checkpoint back to their homeland.