On 23 May 2026 at around 8:30 pm in Koh Phangan, a foreigner riding a motorcycle violently struck a doctor walking along the roadside, seriously injuring him before fleeing. The doctor was rushed to Bangkok Hospital Koh Samui and is now out of danger. Koh Phangan police announced his arrest the following day.
The incident took place behind the Koh Phangan District Office (amphoe). The victim, a doctor at Koh Phangan Hospital, received emergency treatment before being transferred to the “Bangkok Hospital Samui” due to the severity of his injuries.
In an initial post on Facebook, a local page alerted the public to this hit-and-run case involving a “man who appeared to be a foreigner”.
The following day at 1:13 pm, Koh Phangan police confirmed on social media:
“In the case of the foreign national who struck a pedestrian (the doctor), Koh Phangan police station has apprehended the suspect. We will now proceed with legal action in accordance with the law.”
The incident comes the day after a major police operation targeting foreign nominee companies and has sparked strong reactions on social media. Many comments express deep support for the doctor and anger at hit-and-runs committed by foreigners.
Several users praised the swift action of the police while calling for an exemplary punishment and strict enforcement of the law.