Pattaya Residents Chase Down Drunk Drivers After Hit-and-Run
Pattaya, Thailand—A dramatic hit-and-run incident in Pattaya on March 15, 2025, underscores the perilous consequences of drunk driving and highlights the courageous actions of a local citizen who apprehended the fleeing suspects. The incident, which left a motorcyclist seriously injured, unfolded on Sukhumvit Road, a major thoroughfare in the popular tourist destination.
Around 3:30 a. m., a violent collision shattered the pre-dawn quiet. The Sawang Boriboon Rescue Center received an urgent call reporting a hit-and-run involving a car and a motorcycle. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, near the Highway Police checkpoint in Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. They administered first aid to the injured motorcyclist, 24-year-old Narin Yusamran, before transporting him to a local hospital with serious injuries.
While paramedics treated the victim, the perpetrators, driving a Bangkok-registered Toyota Camry, fled the scene. However, their escape was thwarted by 40-year-old Piyapong Nhaikon. Hearing the crash, Mr. Nhaikon investigated and witnessed the fleeing Camry. In a remarkable display of civic responsibility, he pursued the vehicle for nearly 20 kilometers, culminating in a high-stakes chase through city streets. He cornered and blocked the car at the Chaiyapruek intersection, effectively ending the suspects' attempt to evade justice.
Responding to Mr. Nhaikon’s alert, police quickly apprehended the two Malaysian occupants: 33-year-old Mr. Suthan and 36-year-old Mr. Poovendren. The Camry showed clear evidence of the collision, with visible damage to the front bumper and motorcycle parts lodged in the wreckage. Officers seized beer bottles found inside the car and took the suspects to Pattaya City Police Station for alcohol testing.
Adding to the drama, 24-year-old Pimlada, a transgender woman present in the Camry, provided crucial testimony. She and a friend had been hired by the Malaysian men to serve drinks at their private pool villa. Pimlada described a harrowing ride, during which the men consumed alcohol and drove recklessly, ignoring their pleas to slow down.
The reckless driving culminated in the collision. When Mr. Nhaikon stopped the car, Pimlada and her friend escaped and alerted authorities. Importantly, Pimlada had recorded video footage inside the car before the crash. This video, showing the men drinking and the moment of impact, provides compelling evidence and has been submitted to Pattaya City Police Station.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of drunk driving and its devastating consequences for innocent victims. It also showcases the vital role citizens can play in assisting law enforcement and ensuring justice. The bravery of Piyapong Nhaikon, coupled with Pimlada’s quick thinking in securing video evidence, proved instrumental in apprehending the suspects and ensuring a thorough investigation.
