A Chilean inter-continental cyclist's dream of setting a record for biking around the world came to a tragic end late last week after a road accident in north-east Thailand claimed his life.

According to the Guardian, 47-year-old Juan Francisco Guillermo was hit and killed by a pickup truck on a highway in Nakhon Ratchasima province (260km north-east of Bangkok) on Saturday.

His Singaporean wife Jennel Ng and son, who were on another bicycle at the time, sustained minor injuries.

The Bangkok Post reported that Madam Ng suffered a broken leg and both she and her son were taken to Bua Yai Hospital.

Mr Guillermo was attempting set a Guinness world record by cycling 250,000km on five continents in five years.

According to his accounts on social media, he started his journey in November 2010 and was scheduled to complete the record in November this year. He was planning on making Australia his next stop.

The driver of the pickup truck was arrested on a charge of causing death by dangerous driving and released on bail, police told the Guardian.

"It was an accident caused by the driver's recklessness. The road was straight and the cyclist was in his own lane," the officer said.