A German tourist was arrested early Saturday after crashing through a police checkpoint on Jomtien Road, Bang Lamung district, Pattaya, injuring a traffic officer.
The incident occurred at 2:20 a.m. when Christopher Maximilian Walther, 30, drove his Honda CB 650 motorcycle, registered in Bangkok, through an alcohol checkpoint without stopping, according to Pol Col Navin Thiravit, superintendent of Pattaya City police station. Walther struck Pol Lt Rapeephat Phrommint, the checkpoint’s deputy inspector, who suffered serious head injuries when he hit the ground. The officer was taken to Pattaya City Hospital, where he is being monitored for a minor brain bleed and a small fracture behind his nasal cavity.
Following the crash, Walther abandoned his motorcycle and attempted to evade police by hiding in nearby bushes and later entering the water at Jomtien Beach. Police pursued him with approximately 50 officers involved in the search and apprehended him as he emerged from the beach.
At the police station, Walther refused an alcohol test but was later tested at a hospital, where his blood alcohol level was found to exceed the legal limit. He faces charges including drunk driving, reckless driving causing injury, fleeing the scene, defying police orders, and resisting arrest. Walther has denied the charges.
Officials confirmed that Pol Lt Rapeephat will remain in the hospital for further observation.