PATTAYA, THAILAND – A 40-year-old Chinese tourist died early Wednesday in Jomtien after being struck by an SUV driven by a friend in front of a hotel.
Fatal collision outside Jomtien hotel
A traffic accident involving a pedestrian occurred at about 5:00 a.m. on 28 January 2026 in front of a hotel in the Jomtien area, according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Chinawat Thisala of Pattaya City Police. He received an emergency call reporting a serious collision with a pedestrian.
Volunteers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya Rescue Foundation and a medical team from Bangkok Pattaya Hospital were dispatched immediately to the scene. The swift response was cited as evidence of the efficiency of Pattaya’s local emergency system, particularly in tourist districts.
Resuscitation attempts unsuccessful
At the hotel entrance, responders found the victim, identified as Li Borui, a 40‑year‑old Chinese national, lying motionless on the ground. He showed no signs of life.
Rescue workers and doctors initiated first aid and CPR without delay. Despite intensive efforts, Li could not be saved due to the severity of his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, after which the area was secured for a police investigation.
SUV crashes into hotel wall
Nearby stood a brown Mitsubishi Pajero with its front end pressed against the hotel wall. The driver was identified as Tian Hangyu, 36, also a Chinese national, who remained on site but appeared to be in shock and deeply distressed by the loss of his friend.
According to a Thai female friend of the driver, who acted as interpreter, the group had been returning together from a night out. The three—driver, victim and the woman—had spent the evening together before the tragedy occurred.
Victim knelt in blind spot to tie shoelaces
The woman told officers that the driver had stopped in front of the hotel entrance so that Li could get out. He then began reversing to leave the driveway and look for a parking space.
At that moment, Li reportedly knelt on the roadway directly in front of the hotel to tie his shoelaces. This position was said to have been in a blind spot for the driver, meaning Tian could not see his friend, a known safety risk with larger vehicles such as the Mitsubishi Pajero.
When the vehicle moved forward again after reversing, it fatally struck the kneeling man. The driver noticed the incident immediately and notified authorities right away; the tragedy was compounded by the fact that victim and driver were described as close friends.
Police gather evidence and plan legal review
Police documented traces at the scene and secured collision marks on both the vehicle and the hotel wall. Tian was taken to the station for further questioning to provide a detailed account of the events.
A forensic examination was ordered to clarify the exact accident mechanism. Investigators stated that legal steps would be taken in accordance with local law, but it remained unclear whether there would be criminal consequences or whether the case would be treated as a tragic accident.
Authorities stress road safety for tourists
The incident highlighted the need for vigilance in traffic, especially in the early morning hours. Tourists in Pattaya were regularly reminded to be aware of local traffic conditions, as larger vehicles, unfamiliar road layouts and limited visibility can combine into hazardous situations.
Experts advised passengers to move to a safe area immediately after getting out of a vehicle and to avoid standing directly in front of or behind it. They recommended that tying shoes or other activities requiring a bent posture be carried out in a protected place away from moving traffic.
Support for victim’s family and driver
The Chinese Embassy in Thailand was informed and coordinated with local authorities. It planned to assist the victim’s relatives with formalities, including repatriation of the body to China.
Psychological support was also offered to the driver, as such traumatic events can cause significant mental stress. Thai authorities said they were working closely with diplomatic representatives to support everyone affected in this difficult situation.
Ongoing efforts to improve Pattaya traffic safety
Pattaya, a popular tourist destination, received millions of visitors from around the world each year. In recent years the city had introduced measures to improve traffic safety, including better street lighting, clearer road markings and increased awareness campaigns aimed at tourists.
Despite these efforts, accidents continued to occur, particularly in the early morning when visibility might be reduced and fatigue could play a role. Local authorities emphasized the importance of mutual consideration in road traffic and called on all road users to exercise heightened caution.