Bangkok: An Australian man is facing criminal charges following a traffic accident in central Thailand that left two people dead and a third in a critical condition in hospital.

The 55-year-old expat is being held in police custody following the accident in Udon Thani, 560 kilometres north of Bangkok.

A local street in Udon Thani, Thailand. Credit:YouTube/MBS

Thai media say the accident occurred when the Australian, driving an Isuzu utility, attempted to flee police after a minor accident where he grazed a local taxi and bus near a shopping mall.