A foreign man believed to be experiencing hallucinations has been arrested on Koh Samui after dragging a driver from his SUV and taking off, forcing the driver to cling to the side of the moving vehicle for 3.5 kilometres.

The incident began on the highway in Bo Phut on Thursday morning. Witnesses said the man, about 35 years old and of unknown nationality, ran into the middle of the road and attempted to open the doors of several passing cars.

At one point, he waved down an Isuzu SUV that was being used for airport transfers. When the Thai driver opened his door, the man said something to him, then pulled him out of the driver’s seat and onto the road.

The foreigner then climbed into the vehicle and sped off towards the Bo Phut intersection, while the driver managed to get up and cling to the door as the SUV accelerated away, shocking bystanders.

Police from a nearby public service point followed on a motorcycle and managed to stop the vehicle at the Bo Phut T-junction — about 3.5 kilometres from where the joyride started.

The suspect was taken to the Bo Phut police station but was unable to give a coherent statement. He underwent a medical examination and drug testing.

The driver told police that he had been on his way to pick up passengers at the Samui airport when the incident occurred.