American woman plays demolition derby in Pattaya

(Post today photos)

A 29-year-old American woman played demolition derby through Pattaya Sunday, smashing 13 vehicles and causing minor injuries on a 30-minute police chase against traffic.

Police in Chon Buri's Bang Lamung district eventually shot out the tyres of the unidentified woman's white Toyota Innova to stop her. They then had to break the front passenger window of the car to arrest her after she refused to open the door, local media reported.

The incident began Sunday as the woman drove the wrong way down Soi Siam Country Club in East Pattaya and clipped a motorbike. She did not stop, however, pulling out onto Sukhumvit Road and heading against traffic.

Havoc ensued as the wrong-way driver proceeded south, colliding with 12 other vehicles as police pursued her. One woman was reported injured.

Once detained, the driver had to be whisked away to the Pattaya police station, as an angry mob of damaged-car owners surrounded her. She initially refused to answer any questions from authorities, media reports said.

The Pattaya One news website reported that she was assessed a heavy traffic fine and agreed to pay for all the damage she caused in exchange for not being jailed.