British man busted in Pattaya after cannabis-fuelled escape attempt

A British man on the run from Thai police had his escape plan go up in smoke—literally. On Thursday, October 3, Chon Buri Immigration officers apprehended a 28 year old British national who was wanted for trespassing and overstaying his visa in Thailand. But in a bizarre twist, the arrest only came after he tried to flee while high on cannabis.

According to police, Davis Songhuek Pittrak was hiding out in Pattaya after a warrant was issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court for nighttime trespassing, property damage, and overstaying his visa by 120 days. A tip-off placed him strolling down Pattaya Second Road, but when immigration officers moved in to arrest him, Davis made a run for it—though not for long. His intoxicated state worked against him, as officers quickly caught up.

“His attempt to flee was futile because he was clearly under the influence of cannabis.”

Upon searching his belongings, officers found a small stash of the drug.

Despite his erratic behaviour, the British man denied all charges, insisting he hadn’t trespassed and wasn’t overstaying. However, further checks confirmed the arrest warrant and his visa violation.

Following his arrest, Davis was taken to Nong Prue Police Station for legal proceedings, where he will face deportation, reported Pattaya News.

In related news, a 19 year old man was arrested by traffic police for brandishing a knife and causing a disturbance on a bus, heading towards an expressway. Upon searching his bag, police found cannabis, drug paraphernalia, and additional knives. Traffic police apprehended the suspect at approximately 1pm on September 28 near the Phahonyothin 1 expressway exit in Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok.

In other news, Laem Chabang customs officials have dealt a massive blow to an international drug smuggling operation, seizing over 1.4 tonnes of cannabis valued at a staggering 25 million baht before it could be illegally shipped to the UK.