SAMUT PRAKAN: A driver who obstructed an ambulance rushing to pick up a patient faces another serious charge on top of drink-driving after the 46-year-old man died.

Police received a complaint that a motorist, apparently under the influence of alcohol, had cut in front of an ambulance on the way to pick up a patient, forced it to stop and then shouted at the crew.

They found a group of rescue workers had gathered in front of a house, where a car was parked.

The vehicle owner, identified later as Samrit Maneerit, 38, was inside the house.

He was taken to the police station. A blood alcohol test returned a reading well above the legal limit of 50 mg/dl.

Police charged him with drink-driving and obstructing an ambulance.

The ambulance had received an emergency call to pick up another patient. The driver turned on the siren and emergency lights. On the way, a car travelling alongside the ambulance suddenly cut in front of them.

The vehicle stopped, blocking the lane and obstructing the ambulance. The car driver got out and began scolding the ambulance crew. A nurse inside used a mobile phone to record the incident.

The man drove off and the ambulance went to the house.

The patient died on the way to Samut Prakan Hospital.

The man's family planned to file a complaint against the driver, charging him with causing death, Thai media reported.

Mr Samrit has reportedly admitted he was in the wrong and apologised for his actions. He claimed the ambulance came very close to his car, which made him angry.