Man Seeks Identity of Foreign Motorcyclist After Hit-and-Run in Phuket
Introduction to the Hit-and-Run Incident
On February 26, a Thai man became the victim of a hit-and-run accident involving a foreign motorcyclist in Phuket. The man, who was making a U-turn outside the Phuket Palace Condominium in Patong, took to social media in an attempt to identify the foreign motorcyclist and sought dashcam footage from potential witnesses in the area.
Details of the Accident
The incident occurred at 7:50 AM, and while the victim did not provide specific details about how the accident unfolded, he shared screenshots from CCTV footage of the collision. In the footage, the foreign motorcyclist was seen striking the victim’s motorcycle as he was making the turn.
The Thai man identified the motorcyclist as riding a grey Yamaha TMAX but could not recall the vehicle’s registration plate. He appealed to anyone who may have been in the area at the time to share dashcam footage to help identify the suspect.
Public Response and Concerns
The Thai man posted his appeal on the Facebook page Newshawk Phuket, urging local motorists to assist in identifying the foreigner involved. However, many Thai netizens expressed skepticism in the comments section, suggesting that the foreign motorcyclist would likely avoid legal consequences, as has happened in previous similar cases. They speculated that police would eventually inform the victim that the foreigner had already left the country.
This concern stems from a history of incidents where foreign motorcyclists involved in accidents have escaped without facing arrest. For instance, at the beginning of February, a foreign motorcyclist who hit a Thai pedestrian in Phuket fled the scene, leaving the victim seriously injured. Despite the police discovering that the motorcycle was a rental, no arrest was made. Similarly, another hit-and-run occurred on February 10 in Pattaya, where a foreign motorcyclist struck a Thai food delivery rider but fled the scene. The delivery rider only sustained minor injuries.
Previous Incidents Involving Foreign Motorcyclists
In December of last year, a foreign motorist was involved in a hit-and-run in Bangkok, managing to escape despite being pursued by motorcycle taxi riders. The police station was reportedly only a few meters away from the accident, yet the foreign motorist was not apprehended.
Ongoing Efforts to Find the Suspect
As the investigation continues, the victim hopes that the shared dashcam footage or further evidence will help identify the foreign motorcyclist and lead to justice. However, the concerns of the public and previous similar cases highlight ongoing frustrations with the handling of hit-and-run incidents involving foreign motorists in Thailand.
