Police shot and wounded a drug suspect who drove a pickup truck into two officers in a bid to escape an inspection in Yaowarat yesterday.
Bystanders look at a wrecked Toyota Vigo pickup and a black Mercedes-Benz on Yaowarat’s Soi Phadung Dao yesterday. The driver of the Vigo, Kriangkrai Chaomuangkong, was shot and injured by police before he crashed his vehicle into the Benz. Mr Kriangkrai was arrested with two grammes of crystal methamphetamine. PATIPAT JANTHONG
Toyota Vigo pickup driver Kriangkrai Chaomuangkong, a 36-year-old from Ubon Ratchathani, was told to stop for a police inspection at the entrance to Soi Isaranuphap in Samphanthawong district shortly after midday.
Pol Col Rungrot Sayanprasert, chief of Phlapphla Chai 2 police station, said the driver stepped on the accelerator and hit the two patrolling police officers from Phlapphla Chai 1 police station - Pol Snr Sgt Maj Manoo Manreuk and Pol Snr Sgt Maj Chanai Buajamrat - on their motorcycles.
Both police officers suffered minor injuries.
As the driver sped off Pol Snr Sgt Maj Manoo and Pol Snr Sgt Maj Chanai commandeered a motorcycle from a passing motorist and chased after the pickup truck.
During the chase, Mr Kriangkrai drove along Charoen Krung Road and hit several cars on the way before turning on to Yaowarat Road.
Pol Col Rungrot said Pol Snr Sgt Maj Manoo shot many times at the getaway truck's wheels to try and stop the vehicle and prevent it from causing further public damage.
Police said the truck finally came to a halt after hitting a fruit cart and a black Mercedes-Benz in front of Yaowarat's Soi Phadung Dao.
Police arrested Mr Kriangkrai and impounded his pickup. Mr Kriangkrai was wounded in his left arm by a gunshot fired by an officer.
Two grammes of crystal methamphetamine, or ya ice, were found in his bag, police said.
Mr Kriangkrai was sent to Police General Hospital for treatment.
Forensic examination police were called in to collect evidence from the scene.
Investigators will question the driver before pressing charges.