Martin Lark. Photo / Supplied
Thai police are investigating the death of an Auckland teacher killed in a hit-and-run incident on a Bangkok highway.
Martin Lark had been sightseeing for the weekend when he was knocked off his motorbike about 10.30pm last Sunday.
The 38-year-old had lived in Bangkok for about eight years
and was 30 minutes from home when hit.
His brother, Andy Lark, said Martin was believed to have died at the scene.
"They took him to hospital but they failed to resuscitate him. Police are investigating but they have been pretty honest that with no eyewitnesses and no cameras on the highways, it has made it really hard for them to find the driver."
Martin grew up in Ellerslie and attended Dilworth School. He completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Auckland University before teaching art and drama at Kaitaia College.
He spent time in Korea and Taiwan before taking a job as head of English at Udomsuksa Rangsit School. He also taught at Thamnasat University.
"He followed the Kiwi dream of heading overseas," said Andy. "He became a very, very highly-regarded English teacher over there."
Family members travelled to Bangkok as soon as they heard about the crash.
"A couple of his friends called us. We all rushed to Thailand but it was too late."
Martin's funeral was held in Bangkok where his ashes were to be scattered on the Chao Phraya River.
"He had spent such an amount of time over there and was so embedded in the local community, we felt it was the best thing to do," said Andy.
"Hundreds of students, staff and parents from the school turned up. To see kids turning up like that to celebrate their teacher's life was very moving."
Andy said his brother was passionate about art, drama and videography and had paintings on show at Te Papa.
"He was a fantastic artist. He was full of life. It's really sad, he has left a big hole in the universe and will be hugely missed."
Figures from the Global Road Safety Partnership reveal motorcycle and larger vehicle collisions are one of the main causes of crashes in Thailand.
In 2004, almost 45 per cent of road deaths occurred on the country's national highways and half of those involved motorcycles.
A memorial gathering will be held at the Empire Tavern in Auckland from noon today.
