Police on Koh Phangan are preparing to ask the court to revoke the bail of a British man accused of causing the death of a respected doctor in a motorcycle crash, following the victim’s death on 7 June. Get today's headlines by email The case centres on 51-year-old British national Duncan Wilcock, owner of Reef Charter Co Ltd, a tour boat business based at Wok Tum Beach, Moo 4, Koh Phangan, Surat Thani province. He is accused having taken cocaine and riding a motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol, before colliding with Associate Professor Dr Theerasak Kaewamatwong, 53, known locally as “Ajarn Mor Ton”, on the evening of 23 May 2026. Dr Theerasak, a specialist in respiratory medicine and critical care and a volunteer doctor at Koh Phangan Hospital, was reportedly exercising along a roadside in Moo 1, Koh Phangan, when the collision occurred. He suffered severe head injuries and bleeding on the brain and was transferred to Ramathibodi Hospital for specialist treatment. He died on 7 June after more than two weeks in hospital. Following confirmation of the doctor’s death, Pol Col Apichat Jansamret, Superintendent of Koh Phangan Police Station, ordered officers to summon the suspect after he had been granted temporary release by Koh Samui Provincial Court, during the detention process. At the time of his release, Duncan faced seven charges: dangerous driving causing serious injury, failing to stop and assist after a collision and fleeing the scene, driving without a licence, using an untaxed vehicle, operating a vehicle without insurance, using a Category 2 narcotic substance (cocaine), and drink-driving causing serious injury to another person. Police said officers located the suspect at the address he had provided to the court. However, he requested that his meeting with investigators be postponed and said he would attend with his lawyer on 8 June. Pol Col Apichat said investigators will now add a more serious charge of causing death by negligent driving, replacing the previous allegation of causing serious injury. On 8 June 2026, police will ask Koh Samui Provincial Court to reconsider the suspect’s bail status, arguing that the increased penalty associated with the upgraded charge raises concerns that he could abscond. In addition to the traffic case, Duncan is also facing separate legal proceedings linked to his business activities. Police allege he used Thai nominees to hold shares on his behalf in a tour boat operation and operated a tourism business without the required licence. Those allegations form part of Criminal Case No. 406/2569, dated 28 May 2026, and include four charges: providing false information to officials in government documents, operating a prohibited business as a foreign national, allowing Thai nationals or others to assist in an unlawful business arrangement, and operating a tourism business without authorisation. The Daily News reported that according to police, Duncan now faces a total of 11 charges. These comprise four business-related offences and seven offences connected to the fatal crash, including the charge of causing death by negligent driving, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment. Related stories Doctor-dies-after-Brit-rider-crash-on-Phangan British-man-remanded-over-Koh-Phangan-crash British-rider-held-after-hit-run-on-Phangan Doctor-airlifted-to-Bangkok-after-Brits-crash Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 8 June 2026
View full article
Create an account or sign in to comment