On Saturday, May 23, a foreign motorcyclist was apprehended by police on Koh Pha Ngan in connection with a hit-and-run incident that resulted in a Thai doctor being placed in a coma. The injured doctor, identified as Theerasuk ‘Ton’ Kawamatawong, was struck at approximately 8:40 PM while walking along a poorly lit road behind the Koh Pha Ngan District Office. Colleagues of Dr. Kawamatawong reached out to various media outlets to advocate for justice following the crash. CCTV footage that circulated online depicted the doctor walking on the side of the road before being hit from behind by the motorcycle. The area was inadequately illuminated, primarily lit by a nearby house, as streetlights appeared to be non-functional at the time of the incident. After the collision, the motorcyclist, a foreign national, fled the scene. Bystanders and passing motorists came to the injured doctor’s aid and transported him to a hospital. Reports from Thai media indicate that Dr. Kawamatawong is currently in a coma at Bangkok Hospital Samui, having sustained severe injuries, including a brainstem bleed and significant brain swelling, despite undergoing surgery. The case drew considerable attention on social media, prompting Koh Pha Ngan Police Station to arrest the foreign suspect on May 24. Authorities have not yet disclosed the identity of the suspect or the specific charges against them. Under Thai law, causing serious injury through reckless driving can lead to penalties of up to three years in prison, fines of up to 60,000 baht, or both. According to colleagues of Dr. Kawamatawong, he frequently traveled to Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan to perform volunteer medical work, dedicating his free time to assist local communities while enjoying the islands’ natural beauty. In a related incident, a Thai teenager was severely injured on May 10 in Phuket when a foreign motorcyclist suddenly changed lanes and collided with the teenager’s motorcycle. The rider fled the scene and was later seen on CCTV running a red light during the escape; however, there have been no reports of an arrest in that case.
Source: The Thaiger
