Phuket Official’s Car Strikes and Kills Russian Tourist

A high-ranking Thai government official is at the center of a deadly accident on the resort island of Phuket. Russian tourist Leonid Y., 41, was struck and killed by a black Ford sedan on July 23, according to local outlet The Phuket News. The incident occurred in the Pa Khlok area, directly opposite a 7-Eleven store. The tourist was crossing the road when the car hit him.

Police identified the driver as Thanet Nawalong, Secretary of the Phuket Provincial Administration, a senior civil servant role. The victim was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and the car has been sent for forensic examination. No charges have been filed against Nawalong, who has not commented publicly.

The crash is the latest in a series of road incidents involving tourists in Thailand. Earlier this month in Pattaya, a 57-year-old woman driving a car struck a tourist with a stroller after she had already crashed into a motorcycle. Both cases remain under investigation. Phuket police urge anyone with information about the July 23 incident to contact them.