A train smashed into a pickup truck that was driving through a level crossing in northeast Thailand.

The train was approaching the junction when a pickup allegedly cut across the tracks despite the lowered automatic barrier, in the early hours of November 21.

The truck was dragged some 100 metres (330 feet) away, with the impact killing driver Chukiat, 43, inside the vehicle.

Police rushed to the scene in Nakhon Ratchasima province after receiving a report at 3:30 am local time.

They found the Chevrolet pickup crushed like scrap metal against rapid train No. 141, which was travelling the Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani route. Inside the truck was Chukiat's mangled body strapped into the driver's seat.

Train operator Songklod, 38, said he was driving the nine-car service when the truck appeared in front of him without warning.

He said: 'I sounded the whistle and slammed on the emergency brake but it was too late. I couldn't stop in time and crashed into the pickup.'

Rescue teams have collected Chukiat's body for a post-mortem exam. Locals said he was a well-known musician in the area, and had been hired to play music at a banquet before the accident.

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.

However, a lack of road safety education in schools along with notoriously easy driving tests, police failures to enforce road laws, and chronic under-investment in infrastructure, all appear to hamper the efforts.