Police and rescue workers were called to the scene, on Srisoonthon Rd in Baan Manik, in central Phuket, at 4am to find the driver – named later by police as Apisit Chaiyasuwan, 46 – still trapped inside the vehicle.
First responders freed Mr Apisit and transported him to the PPAO Hospital in Rassada, where he is receiving treatment for a leg injury and chest pains.
“Mr Apisit said that he was driving from the Heroines Monument at high speed and that he either lost control of the vehicle or fell asleep at the steering wheel when he reached the bend and crashed into the light pole,” said Lt Kraisorn Boonprasop of the Thalang police.
Police have seized Mr Apisit’s SUV, a Mazda Tribute, as evidence.
“We will wait until Mr Apisit is discharged from hospital before we move ahead with any charges,” Lt Kraisorn said.