This is the dramatic moment a taxi was struck by an out-of-control pickup truck - as pedestrians leapt away from the vehicle spinning towards them.

CCTV footage shows the car screeching toward a fire station after racing past a sharp bend in Samut Prakan, Thailand, on September 14.

The truck smashed into the side of a cab and was sent spinning toward firefighters on the roadside, who ran out of the way as it knocked down two motorcycles.

Police arrived at the scene just outside Bangkok after being notified at around 8:30 pm local time.

They found taxi driver Weerachart and his two passengers with minor injuries. They were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Weerachart said: 'I was taking my passengers from Mega Bangna to Wat Sri Soi when the accident happened. Shortly after turning into the alley, I saw the pickup truck veer off course and cross into my lane. I tried to swerve, but it was too late, and it hit the right side of my car.'

Pickup driver Thitiphong, 30, remained at the scene for questioning. Officers said he appeared dazed with his 'eyes glazed over and speech slurred'.

He said: 'I entered the curve, but the steering wheel pulled to the left, so I turned it to the right. That caused the car to lose control and cross into the other lane.'

Thitiphong denied drinking beer or smoking cannabis, but reportedly admitted to downing a bottle of kratom juice - a beverage made with brewed kratom leaves that have opioid-like effects. He collapsed in the police car shortly after giving his statement.

A police spokesman said: 'We were suspicious of his behaviour, so we had him tested for drugs at the Bang Phli Police Station, where he tested positive for narcotics.

'He was taken to Bang Phli Hospital for further analysis to identify the specific substance. Police will serious charges and proceed with legal action once the results are confirmed.'

Despite being one of the wealthiest countries in Asia, Thailand suffers from chronic underinvestment in its highways and education, contributing to its poor road safety levels. Only a handful of African countries are worse.

Thailand has one of the world's worst road safety records. Ministers have set the goal of reducing fatalities from 32.7 deaths per 100,000 people to 12 per 100,000 people by the year 2027.