UAE tourists arrested after fleeing Phuket police checkpoint and injuring officer

16/08/2026

PHUKET, Aug 16: Two Emirati tourists were arrested after allegedly fleeing a police checkpoint in Kathu district, kicking a pursuing officer's motorcycle and later causing him to crash during a chase, police said.

The incident took place at around 1pm on Thursday when officers from Kathu police station were conducting a traffic checkpoint near the Si Kor intersection on Phrabarami Road. Police said Pol Sgt Maj Sivayos Yodrabum spotted a black Honda motorcycle carrying two foreign men travelling from Patong Hill towards the intersection and signalled the rider to stop for a driving licence inspection. Instead, the rider allegedly accelerated through the checkpoint and fled, prompting the officer to pursue the motorcycle along Phra Phuket Kaew Road.

Police said Sivayos again ordered the pair to stop as they approached Kathu Municipality, but the passenger allegedly used his left foot to kick the officer's motorcycle. The impact caused the officer to lose his balance while the suspects continued to flee. The pair were later spotted near a duty-free store on Phra Phuket Kaew Road but allegedly refused to surrender. The rider then drove against traffic and turned into a road leading to The Valley housing estate.

During the continued pursuit, police said the suspects cut in front of the officer's motorcycle, causing him to crash. Sivayos suffered injuries in the incident, while his uniform, glasses and motorcycle were damaged. Despite being injured, the officer continued pursuing the pair. The chase eventually ended when the suspects abandoned their motorcycle at the end of a dead-end road inside the housing estate and attempted to escape on foot.

Police later located the two men walking near the entrance of a nearby housing estate. They were identified as Sohail, 21, and Hamad, 20, both Emirati nationals. Police said the two men were informed of the allegations against them and their legal rights before being taken to Kathu police station for further legal proceedings. Authorities had not immediately released details of the charges.