Bangkok: Authorities are urgently investigating the assault on former Formula 1 racer Mika Salo in Sukhumvit. Increased security measures for foreign tourists have also been ordered.
According to Thai News Agency, Mika Salo, a former Finnish Formula 1 race car driver, was attacked in the leg with a sharp object, believed to be a random attack, while touring the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok. This incident has attracted the attention of the media and international news outlets.
Recently, Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiwphan, Deputy Inspector General of the Royal Thai Police and spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police, revealed that Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, the Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police, has issued an urgent order for the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Command to investigate the facts on the ground and expedite the apprehension of the perpetrators to bring them to justice as quickly as possible, in order to restore confidence among foreign tourists.
Initial findings indicate that the incident occurred on May 19th at approximately 11:00 PM. The victim was walking from Sukhumvit Soi 6, past the entrance to Sukhumvit Soi 4, and was crossing the pedestrian crossing towards Nana Intersection. The victim then felt a motorcycle collide with their leg but was unaware of any injuries until a good Samaritan informed them of bleeding. They subsequently sought treatment at Bumrungrad Hospital, where they received 28 stitches. The victim has not yet filed a police report.
Hotel staff in the area said that other tourists had reported similar incidents. Police have therefore mobilized investigators to review CCTV footage along the route where the incident occurred in order to identify the driver and ascertain the facts of the case.
Later, Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiwphan, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police, visited and spoke with Mr. Mika Salo after he was sent for a medical examination at the Police Hospital. It was found that the injured man had wounds on his leg, which were treated by doctors and are now in stable condition.
The authorities have instructed the investigative unit at Lumphini Police Station to expedite the investigation into the facts and cause of the incident, including a thorough examination of the route and CCTV footage in the surrounding area, in order to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice as quickly as possible. This is because the case affects the image and public confidence in safety in Thailand.