A commercial truck driver high on methamphetamines took Sattahip police on a wild chase up Sukhumvit Road, running red lights, smashing through police barricades and exchanging gunfire in heavy traffic.
Sommai Jaroensuk, 30, was arrested on charges of reckless driving, ya ba consumption, destruction of property, resisting arrest and discharging a firearm in public.
The TV show-like episode began around 2 p.m. Jan. 31 when police received reports a driver of a 10-wheeled fish-delivery truck was shooting at passing traffic. Officers pursued, setting off a high-speed chase that saw Sommai allegedly run a red light at the Ban Taothan intersection and shoot into the air.
Police were finally able to catch up with the drug-crazed driver after he tried to escape into the jungle.
Police attempted to block the road, but the truck rammed the barricade and turned onto Route 332. Police again followed to the entrance to the Song Meta Wanaram Temple in Bang Saray where they used their vehicles to squeeze the truck off the road. At the same time, one officer shot out the truck’s front tire.
The fish man lost control and crashed, but escaped on foot into the jungle. He was finally apprehended, but not before allegedly fighting officers and resisting arrest.
Police said Sommai eventually confessed to using drugs and driving wildly, but not shooting a gun. Officers said the suspect threw the weapon into jungle bushes while escaping and they could not find it. The deliveryman said he took the ya ba to stay awake.
