Associate Professor Dr Theerasak Kaewamatwong, known as “Ajarn Mor Ton”, has died after suffering critical injuries in a road collision on Koh Phangan, Surat Thani province. The respected respiratory and critical care specialist was struck while walking along a roadside by a motorcycle ridden by British national Duncan Wilcock, 51, who police said tested positive for cocaine after being located.

Get today's headlines by email

The incident left Dr Theerasak with severe injuries, including bleeding on the brain. Following the collision, he was urgently transferred by air to Bangkok for specialist treatment and underwent brain surgery at Ramathibodi Hospital due to his critical condition.

Police investigations led to Wilcock being charged with seven offences. These include reckless driving causing serious injury, driving after consuming alcohol or narcotics, driving without a licence or insurance and failing to stop after the collision. Officers at Koh Phangan Police Station also opposed bail after alleging that the suspect had attempted to flee Thailand.

On 7 June 2026, the Facebook page of Vimut Hospital Phaholyothin announced that Dr Theerasak had passed away. The hospital published a message expressing condolences and paying tribute to his dedication and service throughout his medical career.

The statement read: “We express our condolences and mourn the passing of Associate Professor Dr Theerasak Kaewamatwong. Throughout his service, he worked with determination and dedication. His contributions will remain remembered and stay in our memories forever. We extend our deepest sympathies and wish for his soul to rest in peace.”

Dr Theerasak was a specialist in respiratory diseases and critical care medicine at the Lung Health Centre. His death has prompted widespread expressions of sympathy from colleagues, patients and members of the medical community.

Khaosod reported that the case is to continue through the Thai legal system. Authorities have already submitted the suspect to the court for detention while criminal proceedings move forward. The death of Dr Theerasak may also have implications for additional charges being considered by prosecutors as investigations continue.

Picture courtesy of Khaosod

Related stories

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 Khaosod 7 June 2026

View full article

4 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

British national Duncan Wilcock, 51

Associate Professor Dr Theerasak Kaewamatwong, known as “Ajarn Mor Ton”, has died

What an idiot, driving/riding under the influence etc. Had a business, now it's all gone.

Why do so many foreigners come here and never grow up?

So sad, sorry for the late doctors family and friends 😢

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by SAFETY FIRST

3 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

What an idiot, driving/riding under the influence etc. Had a business, now it's all gone.

Why do so many foreigners come here and relive their adolescents, some never grow up?

So sad, sorry for the late doctors family and friends 😢

How do you know he was under the influence at the time of the incident ?

1 minute ago, Ralf001 said:

How do you know he was under the influence at the time of the incident ?

He was tested positive after the accident.

Were you there, maybe you can shed some light on the testing

Did he take the drugs prior or after the accident.

I reckon it was prior.

But if you were there with him, let us all know so we all know what really happened.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by SAFETY FIRST

2 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Yes, he was tested positive after the accident.

Yes, the day AFTER the accident.

Let's see if he gets treated as leniently as the Thai cop on the superbike that killed a doctor on a zebra crossing!

RIP Doc

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by phil2407

Off topic post removed @Rams86 this has nothing to do with the red bull case.

42 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

44 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

How do you know he was under the influence at the time of the incident ?

He was tested positive after the accident.

Were you there, maybe you can shed some light on the testing

Did he take the drugs prior or after the accident.

I reckon it was prior.

But if you were there with him, let us all know so we all know what really happened.

As the Brit fled the scene and was not apprehended until the following day, there is no legal proof that he was under the influence at the time of the incident. Plausible doubt remains. He could, in theory, have taken cocaine after the accident rather than before it.

That said, I'm with SF on this one. In the absence of definitive proof, it's not difficult to draw our own conclusions based on the sequence of events and the circumstances surrounding the case - we are not bound by burden of proof in our opinions.

RIP to the doctor.

What will be particularly interesting is how the authorities handle this case, given that a remarkably similar incident occurred at around the same time.

An NACC official, allegedly driving drunk, killed a delivery rider:

NACC Official Caught in a Fatal Nonthaburi Drunk Driving Crash

The two cases share striking similarities in terms of the event itself, yet differ significantly in terms of who the individuals involved were.

Case A

- A reckless rider kills a pedestrian.

- Possible DUI, although this cannot be legally proven.

Case B

- A drunk driver kills a motorcyclist.

The social dynamics are also notably different:

Case A

- The rider is a foreigner.

- The deceased pedestrian was Thai, held a respected professional position, high socio-economic status.

Case B

- The driver was a senior Thai official holding a respected public position.

- The deceased was a delivery rider, much lower on the socio-economic ladder.

The real test will be whether both cases receive the same level of scrutiny, public outrage, and legal treatment, or whether the status and background of those involved ultimately influence the outcome.

In theory - the penalties 'should' be similar - yet already, the silence and lack of attention surrounding the DUI NACC official shows a stark contrast to the publicity surrounding the death of the Doctor.

27 minutes ago, phil2407 said:

Let's see if he gets treated as leniently as the Thai cop on the superbike that killed a doctor on a zebra crossing!

RIP Doc

In April 2023, the Criminal Court sentenced him to 10 years in prison, later reduced to 6 years and 4 months because of his guilty plea and cooperation with the court. He was also ordered to pay compensation to the victim's family.

In March 2024, the Civil Court ordered former police officer Norawich Buadok to pay:

- 13.5 million baht to Dr Waralak's father

- 13.5 million baht to Dr Waralak's mother

- 331,230 baht for funeral expenses

It will be interesting to observe how the Thai legal system operates against a foreigner here and against the NACC official.

In both of the examples - the events are sufficiently similar and 6 year jail sentence seems to be a minimum precident.

In the case of the NACC official he was also drunk - while the motorcyclist (Police office) who killed the Ophthalmologist on the pedestrian crossing was 'riding recklessly' (but not DUI).

This is a sad story and he risked everything he had plus someone else's life and future just doing what so many do in these places... drugs and a carefree attitude. The Thais should throw the book at this moron big time.