Phuket police arrest two Emiratis after checkpoint chase

Two Emirati men were arrested in Phuket on 13 August 2026 after allegedly fleeing a traffic checkpoint in Kathu, kicking a pursuing police officer's motorcycle and leading police on a chase through local roads.

Police said the pair were eventually cornered after entering a dead-end road within The Valley housing estate, where they abandoned their motorcycle and fled on foot. Officers later found them walking near the estate entrance.

The incident began at the Si Kor checkpoint on Phra Barami Road, where Kathu Police Station officers were conducting traffic checks under the direction of station chief Pol Col Chalermchai Hoensawat.

Motorcycle allegedly failed to stop

Sgt. Maj. Siwayot Yodrabam, a Kathu traffic officer, saw a Honda ADV motorcycle travelling from Patong towards the Si Kor intersection. Two foreign men were on the bike, one riding and one as a passenger.

The officer signalled for the rider to stop for a driving licence inspection. Police said the rider instead accelerated through the checkpoint.

Sgt. Maj. Siwayot followed the motorcycle through the Si Kor intersection towards Phra Phuket Kaew Road. Near Kathu Municipality, he again instructed the rider to stop.

Police alleged that the passenger then kicked the officer's motorcycle with his left foot, causing the officer to lose control, while the two men continued to flee.

Officer injured during pursuit

Officers later saw the motorcycle outside a duty-free shop on Phra Phuket Kaew Road. The suspects allegedly rode against traffic into a lane leading towards The Valley housing estate.

During the pursuit, police said the motorcycle cut across Sgt. Maj. Siwayot's path, causing his motorcycle to crash. He sustained bodily injuries and his clothing, glasses and motorcycle were damaged.

Pictures courtesy of Khoasod

Despite being injured, the officer continued following the pair until the road ended inside the estate. Their motorcycle was found abandoned there, but the two men had left on foot.

Police searched the area and detained two men walking near the housing estate entrance.

Suspects handed to investigators

The men were identified as Sohail, 21, an Emirati national alleged to have been riding the motorcycle, and Hamad, 20, also an Emirati national, who police said was the passenger.

Police said both were informed of the allegations and their legal rights before being taken, with the seized evidence, to Kathu Police Station. They were later handed to investigators for further legal proceedings.

Video courtesy of Phuketinsta

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15 August 2026

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