CHIANG MAI, Thailand – In a tragic turn of events, a foreign tourist has been apprehended by the authorities in Chiang Mai’s Muang district for allegedly causing a fatal accident due to drunk driving. The incident took place in the early hours of Saturday, leaving one worker dead and two others critically injured.

The tourist, identified as 26-year-old Wisdom Okyere from Ghana, was found to have a blood alcohol level of 121 milligrams per 100 milliliters of blood, significantly higher than the legal limit of 50mg. The local police were alerted to the accident at 3.55am on Saturday, prompting the Lanna Chiang Mai Foundation’s rescue team to rush to the scene on Kajasarn Road in Muang district.

Tragically, upon arrival, the rescue team discovered a Laotian worker who had succumbed to their injuries, while two others were severely wounded. The workers, employed by Sin Yotha Co Ltd, were involved in underground cable installation when Okyere’s speeding vehicle collided with them.

During the subsequent investigation, Okyere claimed to have been visiting Chiang Mai for a two-week vacation. He admitted to consuming alcohol at a local pub in the city and stated that he was driving back to his hotel when the accident occurred. Okyere further claimed that he failed to notice the workers on the road and accidentally hit them.

The Ghanaian tourist now faces multiple charges, including drunk driving, reckless driving causing fatalities and injuries, and driving without a license. This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers and consequences associated with driving under the influence.

Coincidentally, Saturday marked the first morning in Chiang Mai when entertainment establishments were permitted to remain open until 4am, as part of efforts to boost tourism in the region. Chiang Mai is one of the five pilot provinces, alongside Bangkok, Phuket, Chon Buri, and Surat Thani (specifically on Koh Samui), where pubs are allowed to extend their operating hours.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety measures and regulations surrounding late-night activities and intoxicated driving in Chiang Mai. Authorities are likely to intensify their efforts to enforce stricter rules and promote responsible behavior to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.