Truck Driver Found Dead in Cab After Lighting Incense

A 65-year-old man parked his cement truck on the roadside and lit incense to repel mosquitoes while sleeping inside. He was found dead the next morning. A witness reported hearing him talking on the phone with his wife at around 4 p.m. the previous day.

At 9 a.m. on September 21, 2026, Mueang Phatthalung police received a report of a death inside a 10-wheel truck parked along the Phetchkasem Highway in Phatthalung Province. Officers from Nah Nod police checkpoint, Phatthalung rescue services, and hospital staff responded to the scene in front of a curry rice shop.

Police found a 10-wheel truck with a Surat Thani licence plate, engine off, parked with the driver's seat reclined. Inside, they discovered the body of a 65-year-old man named Sanek (surname withheld), who had been dead for at least six hours. Officers found evidence of incense burning beneath the steering wheel, used to prevent mosquito bites, as well as several medications for treating chronic illnesses.

After gathering evidence, police transported the body to Phatthalung Hospital for autopsy before releasing it to relatives for funeral arrangements.

According to witnesses, the deceased had driven to the location on September 20 at midday and stopped to eat before resting in the truck while waiting to unload cement in Songkhla Province. He remained parked at the usual spot because the unloading queue was not yet available. At around 10 p.m., witnesses heard him talking on the phone with his wife. The next morning, the shop owner came out and found him dead. Police initially suspect the death was caused by a chronic illness.