Emirati Tourists Arrested After High-Speed Escape from Phuket Police Checkpoint

Two Emirati nationals were taken into custody in Phuket after allegedly refusing to stop at a police checkpoint and leading officers on a dangerous pursuit through Kathu district.

The incident occurred at approximately 1pm on August 13 at the Si Kor checkpoint on Phra Barami Road. According to police, the pair were travelling on a black Honda ADV 160 motorcycle from Patong toward the Si Kor intersection when officers signalled them to pull over for a routine licence inspection.

Instead of stopping, the rider allegedly accelerated and drove through the checkpoint, prompting Police Sergeant Major Siwayot Yodrabam to begin a pursuit. The chase continued along Phra Phuket Kaew Road, where officers repeatedly instructed the suspects to stop.

During the pursuit, police claim the passenger used his foot to strike the officer’s motorcycle, causing it to lose balance. Despite the incident, the suspects continued fleeing through the area.

Authorities said the motorcycle was then driven toward a duty-free shopping area before allegedly entering the wrong lane of traffic and turning into a side road leading to The Valley residential estate. Investigators believe the suspects later cut directly in front of the pursuing police motorcycle, causing the officer to crash.

The collision left Sgt. Maj. Siwayot injured and resulted in damage to his motorcycle, clothing and eyeglasses. Nevertheless, he continued the pursuit until the suspects reached a dead-end road within the housing estate.

The two men then abandoned their motorcycle and attempted to escape on foot. Officers searched the area and later located them near the entrance of the estate.

Police identified the rider as 21-year-old Emirati national Sohaill and the passenger as 20-year-old Hamad Saif Rashed, also from the United Arab Emirates. Both men were informed of the allegations against them and their legal rights before being transported to Kathu Police Station.

The suspects and the seized motorcycle were handed over to investigators for further legal action. Authorities have not yet announced the full list of charges.

The incident follows another recent security operation in Phuket. On August 10, officials conducting a checkpoint inspection in Koh Kaew discovered a CZ pistol and 30 rounds of 9mm ammunition hidden beneath the driver’s seat of a BMW. The driver was unable to produce the required firearm licence and was subsequently arrested.