Owner watches in horror as ฿6m luxury EV rolls backwards across two busy lanes near Bangkok and sinks in a five-metre canal. Motorists brake just in time. The car was left running, out of park and without the handbrake before the dramatic plunge. No one hurt
A ฿6 million luxury electric car rolled driverless across two lanes of traffic before plunging into a five-metre-deep Samut Prakan canal on Saturday. CCTV captured stunned motorists braking as the vehicle swept across the road seconds after its occupant stepped out. The owner’s son said it had not been switched off, shifted into park or secured with the handbrake. The shocked owner then clutched his head as the imported car vanished underwater. Nobody was injured, but recovering it required a multi-ton crane, more than two hours and a lane closure that left traffic backed up for kilometres.
The owner clutched his head as his ฿6 million luxury electric car rolled backwards towards disaster. Seconds earlier, the white electric vehicle had been parked outside an auto parts shop. Then it crossed two traffic lanes and plunged into the Suvarnabhumi irrigation canal near Bangkok. Within moments, the car disappeared beneath almost five metres of water.
CCTV captured the extraordinary sequence in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan, on Saturday morning. The vehicle started moving almost immediately after its occupant stepped outside. Fortunately, approaching motorists spotted the runaway car and slammed on their brakes. Nobody was injured as the unmanned vehicle crossed the road and vanished into the canal.
Police received the report at about 8 am on September 5. The incident occurred in Bang Pla subdistrict, Bang Phli district. In response, officers from Bang Phli Police Station rushed to the scene. Traffic police, rescue workers and a tow truck also joined the operation.
Crane hauls submerged electric car from five-metre canal after two-hour operation snarls traffic
By then, the Bangkok-registered electric car was completely underwater. The canal was approximately five metres deep at the location. However, recovering the heavy vehicle required considerably more than an ordinary tow truck. Police therefore arranged for a large multi-ton crane to tackle the job.
At the scene, rescue workers planned how to secure the submerged car and lift it safely. Meanwhile, traffic officers restricted access beside the recovery area. One traffic lane was temporarily closed to provide working space for the crane. As a result, vehicles began backing up along the canal-side road.
The disruption quickly spread for several kilometres. Nevertheless, rescue teams continued working beside the water as traffic crawled past. The operation eventually lasted more than two hours. Finally, crews secured the electric car and the crane hauled it from the canal.
Once the vehicle was removed, police reopened the affected lane. Traffic subsequently returned to normal. Yet the lengthy recovery contrasted sharply with the speed of the original mishap. CCTV showed the entire disaster developing within seconds.
CCTV captures luxury electric car rolling across two traffic lanes before plunging into deep canal
The camera overlooked the sloping road beside the Suvarnabhumi irrigation canal. Footage showed the white luxury car being parked outside the auto parts shop. Its occupant then stepped out. Almost immediately, the unattended vehicle began rolling backwards.
First, the car moved from the sloping parking area towards the road. It then entered the first traffic lane and continued across the second. Critically, other vehicles were approaching as the runaway electric car crossed their path. Their drivers quickly realised something was wrong.
Fortunately, the motorists stopped before reaching the unmanned vehicle. Consequently, the luxury car passed through the traffic without striking anything. It then continued towards the opposite side of the road. Seconds later, the vehicle dropped over the canal edge.
The car plunged into the water and rapidly sank from sight. Nearby, the shocked owner could do nothing to stop it. The footage captured him clutching his head as the expensive vehicle disappeared underwater.
Mr A, a pseudonym used for the owner’s son, later explained what had happened. According to him, his mother had driven the electric car to the shop. However, she stepped outside before completing the parking procedure.
Car was left running, not shifted into park and without handbrake before rolling backwards into the canal
Notably, the vehicle’s motor had not yet been switched off. It had also not been shifted into park. Furthermore, the handbrake had not been applied. Less than a minute after she left, the unsecured car began rolling backwards.
Because the parking area sloped towards the road, the vehicle continued moving after leaving its parking position. There was nobody behind the wheel to stop it. Instead, the electric car crossed the roadway before reaching the canal.
The runaway vehicle presented an immediate danger to passing traffic. Oncoming motorists had only seconds to react as it moved across both lanes. Crucially, they braked in time. The incident therefore ended without injuries or damage to another vehicle.
Separately, the family apologised to road users affected by the incident and subsequent recovery operation. Mr A also urged motorists to check their vehicles carefully before getting out. Drivers should ensure vehicles are properly secured before leaving them parked, he said.
Imported luxury electric car cost over ฿6 million as family apologises following dramatic canal plunge
The vehicle itself made the mishap particularly costly. According to the family, the luxury electric car was imported less than two years ago. Its purchase price exceeded ฿6 million. Voluntary insurance was also initially taken out on the vehicle.
However, the information provided did not establish its current insurance position. The extent of damage following the immersion was also not immediately detailed. Even so, the vehicle remained completely underwater until rescue teams could retrieve it.
On another front, its weight created a difficult recovery beside an active road. Heavy lifting equipment had to operate close to the canal edge. Police simultaneously managed traffic around the scene while rescue workers secured the submerged vehicle.
Eventually, the multi-ton crane dragged the white electric car back onto dry land. The operation had taken more than two hours. In contrast, the incident that put it there had taken less than a minute.
Owner watches in horror as runaway ฿6 million electric car crosses busy road and disappears into canal
CCTV captured the brutal speed of the sequence. The luxury vehicle was parked outside the shop and its occupant stepped away. Seconds later, the car was moving backwards without a driver.
Approaching motorists then watched it cross two lanes directly ahead of them. They stopped, narrowly avoiding involvement in the incident. Moments afterwards, the runaway car plunged into the deep irrigation canal.
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Another electric car goes up in flames in Samut Prakan on Sunday night. Sparks and a loud blast then fire
For the owner, there was no time to intervene. He could only watch as the ฿6 million electric vehicle slipped beneath the water. Seconds after stepping away from the car, he was left clutching his head in sheer, incredulous horror beside an empty parking space.
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Further reading:
Government sends strong warning to EV industry after a dramatic surge in consumer complaints
Thaksin wants higher excise duties on EV cars that are simply assembled in Thailand by Chinese firms
EV sector crisis as Chinese firms are trapped between lack of demand and government tax penalties
Thailand changes tack as EV revolution turns into a damp squib with warehouses full of unsold cars
Top Thai insurer says no more new policies for EV cars. Later, it emphasised renewals case by case
Lack of coherence in government policy is the root cause of Thailand’s massive economic problems
