PHUKET: A mentally ill Swedish tourist was arrested early on Sunday after he was found running amok on out-bound Thep Kasattree road in Thalang district of this southern island resort province.
A video clip of the incident taken by a tourist was posted on social media on Sunday. It showed the 54-year-old Swede, whose name was withheld, running amok on the out-bound side of Thep Kasattree road at about 2.30am, cutting in front of car after car as if in a suicide attempt. Fortunately, all cars managed to avoid hitting him.
The incident prompted Thalang police to close the road for about 20 minutes. They reopened it after the man was taken into custody - unscathed.
Pol Col Teerawat Liamsuwan, the Thalang police chief, said the Swedish man was first taken to Thalang Hospital and later referred to Vajira Phuket Hospital.
Dr Chalermpong Sukonthapol, the hospital director, said psychiatrists examined the man and determined he was suffering from mental illness. He is being treated at the hospital's psychiatry ward.
Since his visa is due to expire on Sunday, police have contacted agencies, including the Swedish Consulate, to take care of the man.
