Police from Phuket’s Kathu station had established a traffic checkpoint near the Si Kor intersection on Phrabarami Road around 1 p.m. on August 13 when Pol Sgt Maj Sivayos Yodrabum signalled a black Honda motorcycle carrying two men to stop for a licence inspection. The rider accelerated through the checkpoint instead and continued along Phra Phuket Kaew Road, prompting the sergeant major to give chase, according to the official police account. The passenger then allegedly kicked the pursuing officer’s motorcycle with his left foot near Kathu Municipality, causing Sivayos to lose balance while the pair kept fleeing. Officers noted that the suspects refused to halt even after being spotted again near a duty-free store.
The motorcycle cut in front of the officer during the continued pursuit after the pair drove against traffic and entered a road leading to The Valley housing estate, police said. This manoeuvre forced Sivayos to crash, resulting in injuries to the officer along with damage to his uniform, glasses and motorcycle. Despite his condition the sergeant major persisted until the suspects abandoned their vehicle at the end of a dead-end road inside the estate and tried to escape on foot, the report added.
Authorities located the two men walking near the entrance to a nearby housing estate and took them into custody without further incident, according to Kathu police. The individuals were identified as Sohail, 21, the rider, and Hamad, 20, the passenger, both Emirati nationals. Police informed the pair of the allegations against them and their legal rights before transferring them to the station for additional proceedings, with authorities yet to specify the exact charges.
The episode occurred as Thai police continue routine checkpoint operations aimed at verifying documents and maintaining road safety across popular tourist areas. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thailand recorded 32.9 million international arrivals in 2025, a figure that included 172,979 visitors from the United Arab Emirates who frequently travel to destinations such as Phuket. Government statistics place Phuket among the country’s leading destinations, where such enforcement measures are standard on busy routes.
Similar pursuits have previously led to charges ranging from traffic violations to assault on officers, although each case is assessed individually under Thai law, police guidelines show. The officer’s persistence after the crash aligned with established procedures for apprehending those who evade checkpoints, the department’s account indicated. Local outlets including the Bangkok Post and Khaosod English reported parallel details drawn from the same police briefing.
Officers at Kathu police station later questioned the two UAE nationals as part of the ongoing investigation into the sequence of events. The department confirmed that the motorcycle used in the incident had been seized for examination. No further updates on the legal status of Sohail and Hamad had been released as of August 16.
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