Chiang Mai—
At 3:55 AM, on December 16th, 2023, Mueang Chiang Mai police received a car accident report of a Ghanaian tourist driving a sedan colliding with construction workers in the old town of Mueang Chiang Mai. There was one casualty and two injuries reported.
According to a report by the police, Mr. Thao Khantalay, a 26-year-old Lao nationality worker, was fatally crashed into by a sedan while working on underground cable construction along the canal in the old town. The other two construction workers, Ms. Donnapha, 28, and Mr. Trairat, 22, suffered moderate injuries, said the police.
The suspect who allegedly crashed into the construction site was publicly identified as Mr. Wisdom Okyere, a 26-year-old Ghanaian tourist. The police conducted an alcohol test on the suspect and the result of the alcohol content was 121 mg%. As a result, the police officers took hold of the suspect for further legal proceedings.
Wisdom reportedly told the police that he had been in Chiang Mai for two weeks and rented a rental car for transportation. On the incident day, before he crashed into the construction site, he had been drinking at pubs around the old town of Chiang Mai with his friends. On the way to his hotel, Wisdom had an accident at the construction site and took the life of the innocent construction worker, said the police.
Pol. Col. Pratchaya Tisala, Chiang Mai Police Chief, publicly stated that this accident might not directly relate to the recent policy on the extended entertainment service hours to 4:00 AM. However, there were many construction sites at night in the old town, and Ghanaian tourists might not be accustomed to the route.
Admittedly, the Ghanaian tourist was reportedly DUI and caused the accident, said Pol. Col. Pratchaya.
As a consequence, Chiang Mai Municipality and contractors would discuss better safety measures such as adding more street lights, cones, and barriers in the construction areas to prevent future accidents, said Pol. Col. Pratchaya.
