PATTAYA, Thailand – Police in Udon Thani on May 17 confirmed they are moving forward with serious charges against a lawyer accused of drunken driving after he allegedly crashed his sedan into a food delivery rider and refused to take an alcohol breath test. Police said the collision occurred at around 9 p.m. on Srisuk Road behind Rajinuthit School in central Udon Thani. The crash left the motorcycle rider injured after the lawyer’s sedan reportedly struck the delivery bike.
According to Pol. Col. Phattanawong Janphon, superintendent of Udon Thani City Police Station, officers arriving at the scene observed that the driver appeared heavily intoxicated, displaying confused speech and behavior consistent with alcohol impairment. However, when police attempted to administer a breathalyzer test, the driver allegedly refused outright.
The police chief stressed that under Thailand’s current law, refusing to take an alcohol test can legally be treated as drunk driving. Investigators are therefore preparing charges of driving under the influence and reckless driving causing injury. “Even though the suspect refused the breath test, investigators have strong evidence, including video footage and witness statements confirming a strong smell of alcohol and behavior indicating intoxication,” the superintendent stated.
The case has also renewed broader concerns over dangerous driving behavior on Thai roads, particularly in busy urban areas and major tourism destinations such as Pattaya, where residents and visitors frequently share roads with heavy traffic, motorcycles, delivery riders, and late-night motorists. Road safety advocates continue to warn that drunk driving remains one of the country’s most persistent public safety risks.
Police are also reviewing reports that the driver may have used threatening language during the incident. Authorities said the injured rider or other affected parties may file additional complaints if intimidation or threats occurred. Investigators added that background checks so far have not found previous drunk driving offenses involving the lawyer. The suspect has not yet been formally detained, as police are still compiling evidence and awaiting medical documentation relating to the injured rider before officially issuing charges.
