PHUKET — Authorities in Patong are actively searching for three foreign nationals who fled the scene after their pickup truck collided with a motorcyclist near Patong Hospital in Phuket’s Kathu district on March 8. The incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media, has raised public concerns.
Surasak Kongbua, 38, the motorcyclist involved in the crash, recounted that the collision occurred at approximately 5:15 p.m. while he was en route to purchase equipment for a repair job. According to his statement, he proceeded through a green light when the pickup truck struck him from the left, causing his motorcycle to slide nearly 20 meters.
Following the accident, three young foreign men, estimated to be in their early twenties, emerged from the vehicle. When Surasak informed them he was contacting the police, one of the individuals inquired about the arrival time of law enforcement. The situation escalated when a hotel employee attempted to mediate, prompting one of the passengers to become confrontational.
Surasak stated that as he warned the men that their actions were being recorded, they attempted to flee. Despite his efforts to document the scene, a broken phone screen prevented him from capturing footage. However, a bystander managed to record the suspects and their vehicle’s license plate.
As Surasak tried to prevent their escape, one of the suspects allegedly brandished a knife, forcing him to back away. He described pretending to reach into his pocket, which seemingly caused the assailants to hesitate before they ultimately re-entered the vehicle and drove away.
Sustaining only minor injuries, Surasak required minimal medical treatment. He reported the incident to the police the same day and expressed appreciation for their ongoing efforts to track down the suspects. While authorities have yet to apprehend the individuals, they continue to investigate the case.
