NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand – A female motocross racer has died after being struck by a competitor during a race in Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, in an incident that has sparked widespread outrage after video showed the other vehicle stopping briefly before speeding back onto the track without offering assistance. Ms Hasmah Pholpadung sustained severe injuries when a motorcycle following behind her crashed into her, and she later passed away, with the incident recorded on video and widely shared online.

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The footage drew immediate criticism, particularly regarding the behaviour of the driver identified as the other party, who did not stop to help immediately after the accident and instead resumed racing. Another racer who recorded the incident stopped their vehicle and called for help, while the other party later expressed regret and apologised, admitting it was a wrong decision at the time of the accident, stating in an interview posted by the HARD BOY Enduro Facebook page that they were still in shock and expressed condolences to the victim’s family.

The Caltex Enduro Festival 2026 motocross competition was held on August 30 at a site behind the Lam Takhong Dam in Chan Thuk Subdistrict, with over 500 racers from across the country participating in the third edition of the event. A member of the Chan Thuk Subdistrict Administrative Organisation stated that the organisers had properly obtained permission to use the area and that the event had funded community benefits, including the purchase of sports uniforms for students from seven local schools and repairs to school restrooms.

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Pak Chong Police Station revealed that they learned about the incident from social media but no victims have yet filed a report, and therefore need to investigate the facts further. The incident has raised questions about safety protocols at off-road racing events and the ethical responsibilities of competitors in the event of a serious crash, with calls for organisers to ensure better emergency response measures are in place. The victim’s family is yet to issue a public statement, and authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

-Thailand News (TN)