Phuket man falls from pickup while confronting foreign hit-and-run driver
A Thai Good Samaritan fell from the back of a pickup truck on a road in Phuket while attempting to stop a foreign driver who fled the scene after crashing into three motorcycles.
Footage of the incident was shared on the Newshawk Phuket Facebook page on Sunday, February 2. According to the page, the incident itself occurred the previous night, February 1, at around 11pm on a road near Jungceylon shopping mall in the Patong sub-district of Kathu district, Phuket.
The video showed a Thai man in a white T-shirt standing on the rear of a black pickup truck, apparently trying to force the driver to stop. The driver, who was reported to be a foreign national, ignored the man’s attempts and continued driving.
As the pickup moved away, the Good Samaritan jumped from the back of the vehicle and fell onto the road. Despite the fall, he quickly stood up and ran after the pickup. He attempted to open the vehicle’s door but was unsuccessful, and the driver managed to speed away from the scene.
Later, Channel 8 reported that the man had tried to stop the pickup because the driver had allegedly crashed into three motorcycles before fleeing.
According to Newshawk Phuket, one motorcyclist was injured in the crash, though no further details about the victim’s condition was released.
The footage triggered strong reactions online, with many Thai netizens praising the Good Samaritan’s courage while also expressing concern for his safety. Others criticised the foreign driver’s behaviour and demanded that police and relevant government agencies take the case seriously and ensure the suspect is brought to justice.
The incident also reignited debate over road safety and vehicle rental practices involving foreign tourists in Phuket.
Speaking to Channel 8, Preechawut Kisin, managing director of Patong Bay Hill Resort, said authorities and private operators must work together to better regulate vehicle rental services.
Preechawut stressed that foreign tourists should be required to hold a valid international driving licence before being allowed to rent cars or motorcycles in Thailand. He said stricter enforcement by both officials and business operators would help reduce road accidents and protect both residents and visitors.
Police later told Channel 8 that they were reviewing CCTV footage from the area in an effort to identify and locate the foreign pickup driver.
Officers urged witnesses or anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward as the search continues.
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