Police cycle smash:racer charged

Part of 47 suspects rounded up in a police crackdown on street racing on Saturday night are checked by police. /Nopphadol Srithaweekas

Captain Suraphol Daojaeng of Khoke Khram Police Station was undergoing hospital treatment for a broken right kneecap and awaiting results from a brain scan after he was knocked down unconscious and bleeding from his head by the 15yearold unidentified suspect.

The operation by more than 70 police around midnight at Kaset Nawamin Road netted 80 youths and 57 motorbikes. A total of 47 suspects, including 27 minors, have been booked. The youngest is a 12yearold boy.

The 15yearold suspect said he did not mean to hit the officer and had apologised to him and other police.

Suraphol and other officers jumped in his motorcycle's way too abruptly while he was trying to escape, he said.

Police launched another crackdown two hours later at another section of the same road, arresting more street racers and seizing 10 motorcycles.