Accident Drunk Driver Runs Red Light and Crashes into SUV in Pattaya, Injuring Six

[Georgealbert]

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 23-year-old woman has been arrested after allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and crashing her pickup truck into an SUV at a traffic light junction in Pattaya, causing it to overturn and injuring six people, including a South Korean tourist.

 

The incident occurred at around 04:05 on 17 June at the Nong Phong traffic light intersection on Second Road, Jomtien, Chonburi Province. Police and rescue workers from Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation were dispatched to the scene.

 

Upon arrival, officers found a Mitsubishi Pajero SUV registered in Bangkok flipped upside down. Six individuals were injured in the collision, the 51-year-old driver, Mr. Watcharapong, one South Korean male tourist and four Thai women. All were rescued from the wreckage and rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

 

The other vehicle involved, a Toyota Revo pickup truck, fled the scene. However, parts of the vehicle, including the front bumper and a Bangkok-registered licence plate, were left behind at the crash site. With the help of witnesses and CCTV footage, police located the suspect at a hotel approximately 500 metres from the scene.

 

The driver, identified as Ms. Thanchanok appeared intoxicated and was arrested on the spot. A preliminary breathalyser test revealed a blood alcohol concentration well over the legal limit. Mr. Watcharapong, the Pajero driver, also tested positive for alcohol but at a lower level.

 

Ms. Thanchanok claimed she was returning to her accommodation with a foreign companion and had been talking while driving when the crash occurred. She admitted to consuming alcohol earlier in the evening and said she had intended to brake but failed to do so in time.

 

Eyewitnesses reported that the Pajero was heading towards Jomtien Beach when the pickup truck ran a red light and slammed into it. Following the collision, the pickup driver did not stop but fled the scene.

 

CCTV footage captured the moment of impact, which police have since collected as evidence. Investigators are now proceeding with legal action against Ms. Thanchanok. Charges may include driving under the influence, reckless driving causing injury and leaving the scene of a crash.

 

 

Police have stated that the case will be handled fairly for both parties involved.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-06-18

 

 

 

[SAFETY FIRST]

15 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

The incident occurred at around 04:05

Ms. Thanchanok appeared intoxicated and was arrested on the spot. A preliminary breathalyser test revealed a blood alcohol concentration well over the legal limit. Mr. Watcharapong, the Pajero driver, also tested positive for alcohol but at a lower level

Crikey, that hour of the night seems everyone is driving under the influence. 

 

[CHdiver]

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

and said she had intended to brake but failed to do so in time.

Instead of the usual brake failure, this time it's a brain failure. Same result.

[fredwiggy]

14 minutes ago, CHdiver said:

Instead of the usual brake failure, this time it's a brain failure. Same result.

And a failure to brake.

[Captain Flack]

Troll post removed.

 

@baansgr stop trying to promote your own agenda on news stories, when there is no mention of cannabis in this article.

[Upnotover]

Some rather unusual driving by the Pajero in the beginning of that clip.  Lock 'em both up for the safety of others.

[KhunBENQ]

The very wide intersection with Bun Kanchana.

For a while they had setup a roundabout. For me that was perfect. Slowing down, carefully into the roundabout.

No endless sitting at the red light.

But for Thai drivers it seems to hard to handle.

 

I avoid being first at green and generally: approaching an empty intersection even on green be prepared!

[mikebell]

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Police have stated that the case will be handled fairly for both parties involved.

There's a novelty.