Three people were killed when a train hit their pickup truck at a level crossing in Thailand.

The vehicle reportedly sped across the railway right into the path of the oncoming Special Express train no. 40 in Chumphon province on the morning of September 17.

The collision flattened the pickup and flung its passengers several feet away into a nearby grassy field.

Police Colonel Anan Anutrawesaras, superintendent of the Lamae Police Station, said cops received a report of the accident at 10:30am.

Officers arrived to inspect the site and found the truck's wreckage resting next to the tracks while the occupants' mangled corpses lay in the field

The deceased were identified as Saijai Taweesin, 51, Prajerd Taweesin, 57, and their driver Chatchadapha Charoenjing, 44. They were taken to the Lamae Hospital.

Authorities said the train had come from Lamae Station and was bound for Bangkok. The crash caused a two-hour delay in the trip.

Residents said frequent accidents occurred at the railway crossing where there were no barriers or warning lights installed.

Police Major Chinnawong Inthong of the Lamae Police Station said: 'We have gathered evidence and questioned witnesses at the scene to find the exact cause of the crash.'