Foreign motorcyclist arrested on Koh Pha Ngan after leaving Thai doctor in coma
A foreign motorcyclist has been arrested on Koh Pha Ngan after hitting a Thai doctor from behind on May 23, leaving him in a coma with severe brain injuries. The hit-and-run occurred on a poorly lit road near the district office, with CCTV
Foreign motorcyclist arrested on Koh Pha Ngan after leaving Thai doctor in comaLegacyPolice arrested a foreign motorcyclist for a hit-and-run incident on Koh Pha Ngan on Saturday, May 23, that left a Thai doctor in a coma. Colleagues of the injured doctor, Theerasuk “Ton” Kawamatawong, contacted several media outlets seeking justice after the crash, which occurred at about 8.40pm on a road behind the Koh Pha Ngan District Office. CCTV footage shared online showed Ton walking along the left side of the road before being struck from behind by a motorcycle. The footage indicated the road was poorly lit, with illumination coming mainly from a nearby residence. Streetlights in the area appeared not to be operating at the time. According to reports, the rider was a foreign national who left the scene immediately after the collision. Witnesses and passing motorists later assisted the injured doctor and transported him to hospital. Photo via Facebook/ Intirarat Wongtawan Thai media outlets reported that Ton remains in a coma at Bangkok Hospital Samui after suffering severe injuries, including bleeding in the brainstem and significant brain swelling despite undergoing surgery. The case attracted widespread attention on social media before Koh Pha Ngan Police Station officers arrested the foreign suspect on the island yesterday, May 24. Police have not yet publicly released the suspect’s identity or confirmed the charges being pursued. Under Thai law, causing serious injury through reckless driving can carry penalties of up to three years in prison, fines of up to 60,000 baht, or both. Photo via Matichon According to Ton’s colleagues, the doctor regularly travelled to Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan to carry out volunteer medical work. He used his free time to assist local communities while also enjoying the island’s natural surroundings and lifestyle. In another recent case involving a foreign motorcyclist, a Thai teenager was seriously injured in Phuket on May 10 after a foreign rider changed lanes suddenly and collided with the teenager’s motorcycle. The rider reportedly fled the scene and was later seen on CCTV running a red light while escaping. Thai media have not reported any arrest in that case.
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