SURAT THANI - A highly respected medical specialist was in a coma on Monday after being run down by a British motorcyclist who operates tour boat services on Koh Phangan.
Police said Assoc Prof Dr Theerasuk Kawamatawong, a pulmonary and critical care specialist, was hit by a motorcycle while walking past a furniture shop on the tourist island on Saturday night. He is a senior doctor at Bangkok Hospital on Koh Samui and was on vacation on Koh Phangan on Saturday.
The 53-year-old suffered a serious head injury and was left unconscious. Koh Phangan Hospital transferred him to Bangkok Hospital on Koh Samui.
Police investigators said the motorcyclist fled the scene. He was later identified as a British citizen on a non-immigrant B visa who runs tour boat services on Koh Phangan. His visa expires on Dec 25 this year.
Police arrested the man on a boat at a pier in Ban Wok Tum on Sunday afternoon. The man had abrasions on his body. His name was not released.
The Briton allegedly admitted that his motorcycle hit a pedestrian. A urine test was positive for cocaine use, according to police.
He was charged with reckless driving causing serious injury, failing to stop and help the injured, driving without a licence and drug abuse.
Dr Theerasuk teaches at the faculty of medicine, Mahidol University. He has treated lung patients at Bangkok Hospital on Koh Samui, where he is now being treated.
