BANGKOK, Thailand – A woman under the influence attempted to evade a police checkpoint by driving against traffic, colliding with two officers and injuring them. The suspect admitted she panicked due to heavy drinking.
At approximately 12:20 AM on March 22, officers from Chaiyaphruek Police Station were alerted that a sedan had fled a checkpoint and collided with two police officers on Highway 345, beneath the interchange connecting Highway 345 and Ratchaphruek Road in Khlong Khoi, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi. Rescue workers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation were dispatched to the scene.
Upon arrival, authorities found two injured officers: Police Lance Corporal Nongsi Khotchathuean, 23, and Police Lance Corporal Chayanan Nuimak, 21, members of the Nonthaburi Provincial Police Investigation Unit, temporarily assigned to Chaiyaphruek Police Station. Both officers sustained injuries to their legs and arms and were lying on the road.
Nearby, a damaged Honda CBR police motorcycle was found, as well as a white Honda City sedan with a dented rear wheel arch. The driver was identified as Ms. Kasira, 31. A breathalyzer test revealed her blood alcohol level was 103 mg%.
Later that day, at noon, Pol. Maj. Gen. Kittithanet Thanananthaweesin, Commander of Nonthaburi Provincial Police, along with other senior officers, visited the injured officers to provide moral support and financial assistance. They praised the officers’ dedication and assured full support for their recovery.
Pol. Lt. Col. Phasathon Wutthisakulphon, Traffic Inspector at Chaiyaphruek Police Station, explained that on the night of the incident, a 12-officer team was manning an alcohol checkpoint as part of a crackdown on reckless driving and crime prevention. The suspect, upon approaching the checkpoint, suddenly made a U-turn, driving against traffic on Highway 345. The two officers, finding the behavior suspicious, pursued her on their motorcycle and signaled her to stop. However, the suspect continued fleeing until she abruptly braked and attempted to turn onto an overpass, causing the officers’ motorcycle to crash into the right side of her vehicle.
Lance Corporal Nongsi, who suffered leg injuries, stated that he initially suspected the suspect might have drugs or weapons due to her erratic behavior. Meanwhile, Lance Corporal Chayanan sustained injuries to his legs and fingers, with the most severe injury being an impact to his groin area. Doctors have advised him to take medical leave for recovery.
Lance Corporal Chayanan also expressed his belief that his five amulets of Luang Pho Iam from Wat Saphan Sung protected him from more severe harm. Despite chasing the suspect at speeds of up to 100 km/h, he believes he was miraculously spared from more serious injuries.
According to Police Sub-Lieutenant Supakit Jaikam, who conducted the breathalyzer test, the suspect initially claimed she had only “a little to drink” but panicked upon seeing the checkpoint. Authorities charged Ms. Kasira with driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving causing injury to others. She was taken to Nonthaburi Provincial Court for detention.
Authorities urged the public to cooperate at checkpoints and refrain from fleeing, which could lead to severe consequences. With the Songkran festival approaching, police emphasized the dangers of drunk driving and encouraged revelers to use public transportation to prevent accidents and ensure public safety.
