A truck driver who sped through a police checkpoint and crashed into eight other vehicles, including a police motorcycle that burst into flames, faces five charges including illicit drug use.
Driver Chaturong Namsombat has been charged with taking drugs, refusing to stop after being signalled to do so, reckless driving causing damage to property, reckless driving causing damage to state property, and resisting arrest.
Police said Mr Chaturon was driving a six-wheel truck along Chaeng Wattana Road on Tuesday when Thung Song Hong police signalled him to pull over and stop near Laksi-Chaeng Wattana intersection.
A police motorcycle was used to block the truck's way and a police officer then walked toward the truck.
The driver suddenly accelerated forward into the police bike, which burst into flames. The truck continued on, hitting eight other vehicles. Police fired shots at the tyres and brought it to halt. The sudden violence panicked other motorists.
Mr Chaturon and the two other men in the vehicle, Cambodians Nikhom Daisai and That Jantee, were taken to Thung Song Hong police station. The driver gave confused answers during interrogation.
All three were asked to undergo urine tests for drug use. Mr Chaturon tested positive. The two passengers were treated as witnesses and released.
Pol Col Prinya Luang-uthai, chief of Thung Song Hong police station, said six people had so far filed complaints against the truck driver for damaging their vehicles. Others were expected to follow suit.
Mr Chaturon will be taken to the Criminal Court on Thursday, where police will apply to detain him for the first 12-day period while a case is prepared against him.
