A 20-year-old British traveller remains in critical condition in Thailand after a serious road incident in the coastal city of Pattaya, a major tourist destination known for its nightlife and beaches.
Ethan Lacey, from Birmingham in the United Kingdom, suffered severe head injuries after reportedly falling from the back of a moving pick-up truck at a busy intersection on Saturday. Local reports and witness accounts suggest he may also have been struck by the same vehicle after falling onto the road.
Mr Lacey had been travelling across Thailand with his cousin during a two-month holiday before visiting Pattaya alone for several days. According to his family, he stopped responding to messages for three days, prompting concern among relatives in the UK.
Thai police believe the vehicle involved was a black Toyota Hilux Revo, a popular pickup truck model commonly used throughout Thailand for both personal and commercial transport. Witnesses at the scene told authorities that Mr Lacey fell from the vehicle while it was crossing a junction in Pattaya.
His father, Kevin Lacey, said a witness claimed his son was thrown from the moving vehicle during an argument before ending up beneath the truck’s rear wheels. The driver reportedly left the scene before emergency services arrived. Local residents later assisted the injured tourist and helped arrange medical treatment.
Doctors treating Mr Lacey said he suffered three brain haemorrhages, also known as brain bleeds, and placed his chance of survival at approximately 30 per cent. He remains on life support in the hospital.
Mr Lacey’s parents travelled from Birmingham to Thailand after learning of the incident. According to the family, hospital regulations currently limit visiting hours to three hours per day.
The case has also highlighted concerns around travel insurance among long-term visitors to Thailand. The family said Mr Lacey’s insurance coverage had expired shortly before the accident, leaving them responsible for significant medical expenses. His grandmother has since launched an online fundraising campaign to help cover treatment costs, which the family says amount to up to £1,000 per day.
In one of his final messages to relatives before the incident, Mr Lacey wrote, “I love you,” according to his father.
Pattaya remains one of Thailand’s most visited tourist destinations, attracting millions of international visitors each year. Local authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
