Pattaya —
A car accident in Pattaya early Friday morning turned into a shocking incident when the driver of a pickup truck, allegedly claiming to be a police officer, threatened individuals with a gun while under the influence of alcohol.
The accident, reported at 3:46 AM on February 9th, involved a Honda Sumer motorcycle and a black Toyota Revo pickup truck at the intersection of Map Yai Lia Road 31. The motorcycle rider, 31-year-old Mr. Isara Waiyasilp, sustained injuries and received initial first aid from bystanders before being taken to the hospital. However, the situation escalated when the involved pickup truck driver, identified only as Mr. Phatcharin (family name withheld), 51, allegedly displayed signs of intoxication and refused to take responsibility for the accident.
According to Mr. Isara, he was riding his motorbike on the road when Mr. Phatcharin reportedly crashed his pickup truck into him, resulting in his moderate injuries. Eyewitness accounts alleged that Mr. Phatcharin became hostile after the victim refused to receive money for the accident at the scene and insisted on filing a police report. He also argued with good Samaritans who came to assist Mr. Isara and allegedly threatened them with a gun while claiming he was a police officer, according to eyewitness accounts
32-year-old eyewitness Mr. Wipichai Anadapong and 30-year-old Ms. Chotika Phenglung, Mr. Isara’s girlfriend, reported the incident to the Nongprue Police Station. Authorities launched an investigation and later arrested Mr. Phatcharin. A breathalyzer test discovered that Mr. Phatcharin’s blood alcohol level was reportedly over 195 mg/dL, exceeding the legal limit of 20 mg/dL by a significant margin. Nongprue police seized a gun from the driver as evidence and are pursuing legal charges for driving under the influence of alcohol against him.
Additionally, authorities are currently attempting to verify the driver’s claims that he is a police officer but as of press time has not released a statement around this.
