KRABI – A midnight medical emergency turned into a wild police chase in Southern Thailand. A Canadian tourist stole an active ambulance from Krabi Hospital, triggering a major police response across the town.
The incident began around 2:00 AM on July 8, 2026, when hospital staff noticed an emergency van missing. A 40-year-old Canadian man had spotted the vehicle, which had its keys left in the ignition, and decided to take it for a joyride on the resort island of Krabi.
Key Takeaways
- The Theft: A 40-year-old Canadian tourist stole a Krabi Hospital ambulance left with keys in the ignition.
- The Chase: Local police and hospital staff used built-in GPS tracking to locate the vehicle moving through town.
- The Arrest: Officers found the damaged van in a small alley and arrested the distressed suspect.
Krabi police officers acted quickly alongside worried hospital workers to track down the stolen vehicle. They used the ambulance’s internal GPS system to monitor the suspect’s movements in real-time.
The tracking system showed the van speeding down Napajarat Road in the heart of Krabi municipality. Police cruisers and local residents quickly closed in on the location to block possible escape routes. Eventually, they discovered the ambulance abandoned inside a narrow alleyway. The driver’s side door was heavily dented because the suspect had kicked it open violently.
Suspect Arrested After Ambulance Abandoned
Police found the Canadian tourist nearby, acting highly agitated and visibly out of touch with reality. He was shouting and refused to cooperate with the officers on the scene.
According to reports from Thai news outlet Thairath, it took several people to safely restrain the man.
The suspect was taken into custody and moved to the Muang Krabi Police Station. Investigators are now checking his medical history and screening for illegal substances to find a motive.
This unusual incident has raised serious questions about vehicle security at the prominent local medical center. Krabi Hospital officials are now reviewing their safety rules regarding unattended emergency vehicles.
Leaving keys in the ignition is a common habit for quick emergency responses worldwide. However, local authorities state that tighter security measures are needed to protect public property.
The Canadian national faces multiple charges, including grand theft of a government vehicle and property damage. Police will interview the man further once he is calm and clear-headed.
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