A German tourist was arrested after he smashed through a traffic police checkpoint on Jomtien Road in Bang Lamung district, Pattaya, seriously injuring a policeman.
Pol Col Navin Thiravit, superintendent of the Pattaya City police station, reported that the incident occurred early at 2:20 am on Saturday.
The tourist, driving a Honda CB 650 big bike with a Bangkok license plate, ignored an alcohol checkpoint, then sped up, crashed through the checkpoint, and struck Pol Lt Rapeephat Phrommint, deputy inspector of traffic police.
The deputy inspector was hurled to the ground and sustained a severe head injury. Emergency responders rushed him to the hospital.
Meanwhile, the German left his motorcycle beside the road and escaped into the bushes, making his way to nearby Jomtien beach. About 50 police officers tracked him down and later apprehended him as he emerged from the sea.
He declined an alcohol test at the police station and was subsequently taken to a hospital, where tests confirmed that his blood alcohol level exceeded the legal limit.
Christopher Maximilian Walther, 30, faces charges of driving under the influence, reckless driving causing bodily harm and property damage, evading arrest, disobeying traffic signs, and resisting arrest. He has contested the charges.
Pol Col Navin stated that the injured officer is receiving medical care at Pattaya City Hospital.
He will be under observation for a few days due to minor bleeding in his brain and a slight fracture in the bone behind his nasal area.
