Passengers reveal driver appeared drowsy before van veered off road during long migrant transport run. PATTAYA, Thailand – A shocking early-morning crash involving a passenger van carrying migrant workers has raised concerns over driver fatigue and overwork — an issue that equally threatens tourists traveling between Pattaya and other major destinations in Thailand. In a dramatic incident that nearly ended in tragedy, a van carrying legal Myanmar migrant workers from Chonburi, Rayong, and Bangkok to the Mae Sot border in Tak province veered off Phahonyothin Road in Khlong Khlung district, Kamphaeng Phet. The crash injured 10 people, including one seriously, after the driver fell asleep at the wheel. Miraculously, a 2-month-old infant onboard was unharmed. The 49-year-old van driver, identified as Samran from Khon Kaen, admitted to police that he had been driving on back-to-back night shifts for two consecutive nights. On his second round trip, fatigue overcame him, and he dozed off, causing the van to slam into a large roadside teak tree. According to rescue volunteers, the crash occurred around 7:00 a.m., and the front-left side of the white Toyota van was completely crushed. One female passenger, seated next to the driver, was trapped and had to be freed using hydraulic rescue tools. Other injured passengers, including the mother of the infant, were transported to Khlong Khlung Hospital. Despite the terrifying impact, the baby remained calm and uninjured, sipping milk from a bottle while waiting for help. The van was reportedly transporting passengers with valid work permits. However, police are now verifying documentation and have ordered drug testing for the driver. Tourists Should Take Note While this specific crash involved migrant workers, the broader issue of overworked van drivers is relevant to tourists using similar transport services, especially in popular tourist corridors like Pattaya–Bangkok–Rayong. Minivans are widely used by foreign and domestic travelers for convenience and affordability. However, cases of drivers operating on minimal rest — often to meet high passenger demand or maximize earnings — are not uncommon. In interviews, some passengers said they had noticed the driver nodding off shortly before the accident, highlighting the lack of safeguards or relief drivers on long-haul routes. Transport safety advocates have repeatedly called for stricter monitoring of commercial driver schedules, better enforcement of maximum driving hours, and improved rest facilities. Tourists and long-term visitors in Pattaya are advised to inquire about a driver’s working hours before long-distance trips and to choose reputable operators with clearly stated policies on driver rotation and fatigue management. As Thailand’s tourism rebounds, this incident serves as a stark reminder: the journey should be as safe as the destination is beautiful.