Chinese Tourist Jumps Off Pattaya 'Baht Bus'

CHONBURI — An inebriated Chinese tourist reportedly jumped off a moving bus in the resort town of Pattaya early this morning.

Police say the 25-year-old Chinese tourist was severely injured after he jumped off what is colloquially known as a "songthaew" or "baht bus" at around 1:00 am in central Pattaya, a popular resort town east of Bangkok.

"There was a severe impact on the brain," said Pol.Lt.Col. Possawat Siripornnopkul, an officer at Muang Pattaya Police Station. "The chance of him being dead or alive is equal. Doctors are closely monitoring his condition." 

Witnesses told police the man had a heated argument with his girlfriend that night while he was drinking alcohol with a group of other Chinese tourists at a bar in Pattaya.

The group reportedly boarded a baht bus at the end of the night to take them to their hotel in South Pattaya, but the Chinese man suddenly jumped off the vehicle despite his friends’ attempts to stop him, police said.