PATTAYA, THAILAND – The family of a 15-year-old Thai-French boy who died after a motorcycle crash in Nong Prue publicly appealed for help after the alleged driver, a Chinese citizen, reportedly disappeared following the collision.
Late-night collision on Pattanakan Road
According to 19-year-old Kamolwan Kheerirak, the crash occurred on 20 February at around 10 p.m. near a karaoke venue on Pattanakan Road in Nong Prue subdistrict.
Her half-brother Tommy Boulanger had been riding his motorcycle straight ahead when a pickup truck suddenly reversed from the side onto the road and blocked his lane.
Severe injuries and a race against time
Tommy reportedly slammed with full force into the rear of the pickup because he could no longer brake in time.
He was first taken to Jomtien Hospital, but had to be transferred due to severe head injuries, as the family said no specialized neurosurgeons were available there.
Over one million baht in treatment costs
At Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, the brain operation alone reportedly cost 800,000 baht, with the total bill including intensive care exceeding one million baht.
Fearing they could not continue to afford private treatment, the family later moved the boy to a state hospital.
Death after seven days and only 3 percent brain function
Doctors eventually informed the family that Tommy’s brain function was down to 3 percent, that he no longer responded and was permanently dependent on a ventilator.
The 15-year-old died on 27 February after a total of seven days in hospital, after which the family held traditional mourning ceremonies.
Driver allegedly fled – video said to show key moments
Police identified the driver as Wang Xian, a Chinese national who allegedly fled the scene immediately after the accident.
CCTV footage was said to show the moment of impact and the driver’s actions, and additional video reportedly showed officers pursuing him on motorcycles to a nearby property, where he then escaped.
Contact cut off – family fears case will fade
At first, a Thai woman acting on behalf of the driver contacted the family, offered compensation and visited the boy in hospital to check on his condition.
She later left a Line chat group with the message,
“I am not directly involved; sort this out among yourselves.”
said the woman acting on the driver’s behalf.
After that, all contact broke off, and the family believed the man had by then fled the area.
Arrest warrant and reward as search continues
Nong Prue Police Station obtained an arrest warrant from Pattaya Provincial Court for Wang Xian, including charges of reckless driving causing death, property damage and hit-and-run.
According to the family, the boy’s mother offered a reward of 100,000 baht for information leading to his arrest, while the investigation team said it continued to actively search for the suspect.
Broader questions over costs and responsibility
The case illustrated how quickly accident victims and their relatives could be overwhelmed by high treatment costs, language barriers and unresolved questions of responsibility.
It also raised the issue of whether Thailand and countries of origin should cooperate more closely in serious traffic offences so that suspected hit-and-run drivers could not simply disappear.