SAMUT PRAKAN, THAILAND – A routine night-time traffic stop in Samut Prakan turned into a more than 10-kilometre high-speed chase that left two police officers seriously injured.
Routine patrol turns into high-speed pursuit
Shortly before midnight, officers from the Samrong Tai police station were patrolling Pu Chao Saming Phrai Road when they noticed a conspicuous red Toyota Yaris with visible tuning modifications. When the officers signalled the driver to pull over, he accelerated instead and sped into a nearby alley. The chase continued over the Bhumibol 2 and Bhumibol 1 bridges in the direction of Rama III Road, with officers pursuing him on a motorcycle.
Collision on bridge leaves officers badly hurt
During the high-speed pursuit, the officers repeatedly sounded their horn in an attempt to force the driver to stop, but he ignored the signals. On one of the bridges, the Yaris collided with the police motorcycle, causing the bike to crash and both officers to be thrown to the ground with serious injuries. The fleeing driver continued on, leaving the injured men behind as the wider manhunt carried on.
Abandoned car and machete discovery
Investigators later found the abandoned Yaris in Soi Mae Chi Sawat near the Bhumibol Bridge, with the front section damaged and the right front tyre blown out. Inside the vehicle, officers discovered a long machete, of the type commonly used for cutting grass, raising concern about the driver’s intentions. The driver was nowhere to be found at the scene and had fled after the crash.
Suspect turns himself in with unusual explanation
A short time later, a young man walked into the Samrong Tai police station and identified himself as the driver of the Yaris, a 23-year-old named Warut. He was immediately given drug and alcohol tests, both of which returned negative results. According to the report, he told officers he had consumed alcohol earlier and had been afraid because of the machete in the car.
Self-defence claim and panic after crash
Warut stated that he carried the weapon for self-defence while he was looking for his wife. After the collision on the bridge, he said he fled the scene in panic. No further details about his wife or the circumstances of his search were provided in the report.
Officers hospitalised, serious charges filed
The injured officers were taken to hospital for treatment. Police Senior Sergeant Major Thanapon Samerjai suffered injuries to his left leg and arm, while Police Lance Corporal Phathaikit Krueaboon reported chest pains. Both officers were expected to face a lengthy recovery period.
Charges were filed against Warut for reckless driving causing bodily harm, damaging state property and failing to comply with a police order. The offences carry the prospect of a long prison sentence if he is convicted.
Broader concerns over road violence
The incident was described as part of a wider pattern on Thailand’s roads, rather than an isolated case. Recently, a traffic police officer pursued a motorcycle taxi driver who had run a red light, and the female passenger fell and suffered a head injury. The cases highlighted growing danger and a lack of respect in traffic, with police officers increasingly becoming targets during routine checks.
Call for tougher response
Authorities were urged to respond firmly to such attacks on law enforcement officers. The report concluded that anyone who injures police officers and flees should not expect leniency, stressing that the safety of frontline personnel is non-negotiable.