PHUKET, THAILAND – A suspected drunk driver in Phuket fatally injured a French tourist and damaged at least nine vehicles in a midday crash.
Chain-reaction collision in Muang district
According to police, a serious road accident occurred on Saturday midday in Muang district on the resort island of Phuket. A Volvo sedan driven by a 51-year-old Thai man first struck the sides of several cars and motorcycles. Instead of stopping, the vehicle continued and then rammed two more motorcycles as well as two pedestrians walking along the roadside.
French pedestrian dies in hospital
One of the pedestrians, French tourist Loic Vincent Fontaine, sustained severe injuries. He was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital, where he later died from his wounds. The second pedestrian and other people involved received medical treatment, though police initially released no detailed information on their condition.
Driver’s escape attempt ends at light pole
Police identified the driver as Jattapol Koetphon, 51, and said he had been under the influence of alcohol. After the first collisions, he allegedly tried to flee the scene. The attempt ended when the Volvo crashed into a street lighting pole, leaving the car too damaged to drive, officers stated.
“The suspect was unable to continue his escape.”
said police in their initial account.
Emergency services secure scene and clear road
Immediately after the series of crashes, rescue teams and traffic police were deployed to treat the injured and clear the heavily used road in the island’s main district. The area around the accident site was temporarily sealed off. Responders focused on providing medical care and transporting victims to hospitals, and on securing the scene and removing damaged vehicles.
Multiple charges prepared against suspect
Police said several charges were being prepared against Jattapol Koetphon. Allegations included drunk driving causing death, property damage to at least nine vehicles, and hit-and-run for leaving the accident scene without accepting responsibility. Muang district police continued their investigation amid recurring debates over road safety and drunk driving in busy tourist destinations such as Phuket.
Renewed questions over alcohol and road safety
The incident also revived sharp questions about alcohol behind the wheel in Thailand’s everyday traffic. The source text described a typical midday scene with pedestrians at the roadside and motorcycles in routine use before a car went out of control because someone had driven drunk. It asked how many more deaths would be needed before drunk driving in Thailand was treated as a serious crime, and whether existing penalties were sufficient or if radical checks and a zero-tolerance approach without excuses were necessary.