Bangkok – Thai Metropolitan Police officers located and interviewed former Formula 1 driver Mika Juhani Salo on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 26th, at his hotel in the Sukhumvit area as part of the investigation into an incident that left the 59-year-old Finn with a deep leg wound.
According to Thai media reports, Salo cooperated fully with investigators. He described the incident, which occurred on the evening of Tuesday, May 19tg, while he was crossing a pedestrian crossing near his hotel in the Sukhumvit 2 area of the Khlong Toei district. A motorcyclist passed very close to him, and he felt only a slight bump. Moments later, a passerby alerted him that blood was pouring from his leg. His shoe was soon covered in blood.
Salo was taken by taxi to a nearby hospital, where doctors treated a deep open wound that had torn the muscle. The injury required 28 stitches in total, eight in the muscle and 20 in the skin. Medical staff described the cut as unusually clean and straight, leading them to suspect it was caused by a sharp blade rather than an accidental collision. Hospital workers also reportedly told Salo that several other patients had arrived that same night with similar slash wounds, suggesting a possible random slashing spree by the same suspect. However, Salon himself believes it may have been an accident. 
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom ordered all 88 Bangkok police stations to urgently review CCTV footage, examine the scene (confirmed to be under Lumpini Police Station jurisdiction), and track the suspect’s escape route. Senior officers, including Pol. Maj. Gen. Pallop Aermla, led the on-site investigation and are coordinating with the Finnish Embassy to gather more information and assist the victim.
Salo, who entered Thailand on May 19th via Suvarnabhumi Airport and was staying in Bangkok for a holiday, is recovering well. He has been returning to the hospital daily for wound care and is on antibiotics. His wife has flown in from Finland to be with him.
The case has received widespread coverage in Finland and international motorsport circles. Salo competed in Formula 1 from 1994 to 2002 for teams including Ferrari (as a mid-season replacement for Michael Schumacher in 1999) and Toyota. He later enjoyed success in sports car racing, including wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
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