Pattaya: A Chinese tourist, reportedly intoxicated, caused a multi-vehicle collision at a traffic light in Pattaya, resulting in injuries and significant damage.

According to Thai News Agency, the incident occurred at the intersection of Pattaya South Road and Sukhumvit Road, where an SUV, driven by a Chinese tourist, crashed into several vehicles, including a black sedan and two motorcycles. The collision left several individuals with minor injuries, who were promptly attended to by volunteers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya rescue team.

The SUV, identified by its unique license plate, sustained minor front-end damage. The driver, described as incoherent and smelling strongly of alcohol, attempted to flee the scene but was stopped by the owner of one of the damaged cars, Mr. Thawatchai. He recounted how the SUV sped up and crashed into his car, propelling it into the parked motorcycles ahead, and shared that the driver tried to offer money to settle the situation, which he refused.

Following the crash, police officers from Pattaya City Police Station arrived on the scene and apprehended the Chinese driver. Despite attempts to conduct a blood alcohol test, the driver refused, leading to his detention in a holding cell for further legal proceedings. Meanwhile, a companion of the driver attempted to interfere with the news coverage, verbally abusing the media and obstructing their work, requiring police intervention to maintain order.

The situation underscores the challenges of managing traffic safety and law enforcement in areas popular with tourists, highlighting the importance of adherence to legal protocols and cooperation with local authorities in such incidents.