Thai doctor in coma, Briton arrested after Pha-ngan hit-and-run

Police on Pha-ngan Island have detained a British national who allegedly struck a 53-year-old Thai doctor with his motorcycle on May 23, causing critical brain injuries.

Lab results show that the suspect, only identified as ‘Willcock’, was heavily intoxicated at the time and had drugs, including cocaine, in his system.

Dr. Theerasuk Kawamatawong, a specialist in respiratory disease and critical care medicine, was walking on the pavement when he was hit.

He remains unconscious and unresponsive due to a subarachnoid haemorrhage and has been airlifted to Ramathibodi Hospital in Bangkok.

Police rushed to the scene but found no sign of the suspect, who had fled, while the doctor was rushed to a nearby hospital.

Investigators later reviewed CCTV footage and identified the suspect as a 51-year-old British man.

He was subsequently arrested at a ferry pier while preparing to leave the area.

During questioning, the suspect admitted hitting the doctor with his motorcycle before fleeing the scene. Police seized the motorcycle as evidence and conducted alcohol and urine tests, which revealed traces of cocaine.

Police charged him with multiple offences, including reckless driving causing serious injury, hit-and-run causing injury without rendering assistance, driving without a licence and illegal cocaine use.

Further investigation found that the suspect had entered Thailand on a Non-Immigrant B business visa, valid until December 25th, and owns a tour boat business near Wok Tum Beach on Pha-ngan Island.

Police said CCTV footage shows the suspect buying two cans of alcohol from a supermarket about 17 minutes before the crash, around 1.4 kilometres from the scene. He was allegedly seen drinking from them before riding off on the motorcycle.

Witnesses said the suspect shouted aggressively after the collision and appeared heavily intoxicated.

He possessed neither a Thai driving licence nor an international driving permit, carrying only a UK licence. In addition, the motorcycle’s annual tax had expired in early 2025 and the vehicle lacked compulsory insurance coverage.

Meanwhile, social media users commenting on the police station’s Facebook page claim they had seen the suspect behaving drunkenly and shouting on the road the night before the incident.

Many called for severe legal action, saying Pha-ngan Island is facing problems linked to low-quality tourism, including drug abuse, illegal bars and pubs and unlawful business operations.

Friends and acquaintances of the doctor posted messages on social media expressing support for him, saying he had been on the tourist-packed island to carry out volunteer work.

Investigators later submitted a detention request to the Samui Provincial Court and strongly opposed bail, citing the severity of the charges and concerns that the foreign suspect, who lacks permanent residence in Thailand, could flee the country if temporarily released.

Police are also expanding their investigation into companies linked to the suspect to determine whether they are operating legally or using Thai nominees to conceal foreign ownership.