PHUKET: Two Emirati tourists were arrested after allegedly fleeing a police checkpoint in Kathu district, kicking a pursuing officer’s motorcycle and causing him to crash during a chase, police said on Friday.
The incident occurred around 1pm on Thursday as officers from Kathu police station were manning a traffic checkpoint near the Si Kor intersection on Phrabarami Road.
According to Kathu police, Pol Sgt Maj Sivayos Yodrabum spotted a black Honda motorcycle carrying two foreign men travelling from Patong Hill towards the intersection. He signalled the rider to stop for a driving licence check.
However, the rider accelerated through the checkpoint and fled, prompting the officer to pursue the motorcycle along Phra Phuket Kaew Road.
Pol Sgt Maj Sivayos again ordered the pair to stop as they approached Kathu Municipality. Instead, the pillion passenger used his left foot to kick the officer’s motorcycle, causing it to lose balance as the suspects continued their escape.
The pair were later spotted near a duty-free store on Phra Phuket Kaew Road, but police said they refused to surrender. The rider then drove against traffic and fled into a road leading to The Valley housing estate.
During the pursuit, police said the pair cut in front of the officer’s motorcycle, causing him to crash. Pol Sgt Maj Sivayos suffered injuries, while his uniform, glasses and motorcycle were damaged.
Despite being injured, he continued the chase. The pursuit ended when the suspects abandoned their motorcycle at the end of a dead-end road inside the housing estate and attempted to flee on foot.
Police later found the two men walking near the entrance to a nearby housing estate.
The rider and passenger were identified only as Sohail, 21, and Hamad, 20, both Emirati nationals.
Police said the pair were informed of the charges against them and their legal rights before being taken to Kathu station for further legal action.
No details of the charges were immediately released.
