The car was carrying three people – driver Suphachai Limtrakil, 69, his wife Anchalee Sriwittayabancha, 42, and their 14-year-old daughter. Suphachai was killed.

The truck was driven by Pornthanakrit Tunyasook, 33.

“We found the totaled Toyota in the waterway along Petchkasem Road in the Klongthom district. Rescue workers had to use ‘Jaws-of-Life’ to cut open its roof and extract the body of Mr Suphachai,” said Lt Col Danaithorn Jaisabai of Klongthom Police.

Survivors Anchalee, her daughter and Pornthanakrit sustained serious injuries and were taken to Klongthom Hospital.

“Witnesses told us that they saw Pornthanakrit drive his pick-up into Suphachai’s car after crossing the road median from the opposite direction. We initially believed that Pornthanakrit was speeding, but since the crash happened in a bend in the road and it was raining, we think he may have lost control,” said the policeman.

He added that no charges would be pressed until the three survivors have recovered and are ready to talk about what they think happened.