KHON KAEN, THAILAND – A heavily intoxicated pickup driver crashed into a packed restaurant in Khon Kaen, injuring 14 people before attempting to flee the scene.
Night-time crash on Si Chan Road
Around 12:30 a.m., police received an emergency call about a serious accident on Si Chan Road in Khon Kaen. A white pickup with Bangkok license plates had slammed head-on into a milk café, coming to rest deep in the entrance area of the restaurant.
“Several guests who were sitting in the restaurant were injured,”
said the police, who reported that rescue teams were under heavy pressure at the scene.
Fourteen injured and car occupants trapped
Emergency services treated a total of 14 injured people, twelve of whom were immediately taken to various hospitals. A Toyota Vios parked nearby was also damaged in the collision. Two occupants were trapped inside and had to be freed using hydraulic rescue tools.
Driver tries to escape half-naked
Amid the rescue efforts, the pickup driver tried to flee. Witnesses saw a shirtless man in red shorts leaving the scene. A restaurant employee managed to take a photo of the fleeing suspect, which proved crucial for the investigation.
Suspect arrested nearby
Police arrested 41-year-old Khuekkrit at a hotel about 200 meters from the crash site, ending his escape attempt. Officers then began reconstructing the course of the accident using eyewitness accounts and surveillance camera footage. According to this evidence, the pickup had been traveling at high speed and had run a red light at the Tiaw Hong intersection.
Chain collision before café impact
The pickup first collided with the Toyota Vios before continuing to skid. The vehicle then knocked down a streetlight and finally crashed into the milk café. The recordings showed the full extent of the reckless driving and the force of the impact on the restaurant.
High alcohol level confirmed
The arrested driver admitted having consumed alcohol before the journey in a rented house in Ban Pet. He was on his way home when the crash occurred. An alcohol test showed a level of 199 milligram percent, corresponding to about 1.99 per mille, clearly indicating he was unfit to drive.
Criminal proceedings and heavy damage
Police stated they were collecting all available evidence and would initiate criminal proceedings, meaning the driver faced serious consequences. In addition to the numerous injuries, there was significant property damage to the restaurant and the vehicles involved. The incident was described as another shocking case of drunk driving in Thailand, fuelling debate about penalties and enforcement on the country’s roads.