A Chinese tourist was injured when she was struck by a motorcycle while walking on a zebra crossing in Thailand.

The unnamed woman, aged around 20, was crossing the road to eat dinner with her friends when a black Honda Wave motorcycle smashed into her in Samut Prakan province on June 13.

She went flying across the road and landed on the pavement as the other tourists called for help.

Police Captain Aphisit Tonsalee of the Bang Phli Police Station said: 'The incident occurred on a crosswalk on Si Warin Noi Road in front of a hotel in Tambon Bang Cho Long.

'We coordinated with Bang Phli Rescue volunteers to respond to the scene. When officers arrived, they found a Chinese tourist, approximately 20 years old, lying quite badly injured on the ground at the crosswalk. She was surrounded by other Chinese nationals who appeared to be trying to comfort her.'

Cops detained the motorcycle rider, Watit, 35, who was also injured.

Watit said he saw the red traffic light at the crossing, but could not brake in time because he was overtaking other cars. He initially denied drinking alcohol, but later confessed to drink driving when police detected the smell of beer on him.

Witnesses said the Chinese tourist had pressed the crosswalk button and waited for cars to stop before crossing. However, Watit was allegedly driving at high speed.

Police Captain Aphisit said: 'The suspect has been charged with running a red light and failing to stop at a zebra crossing, which carries a fine of up to 4,000 baht.

'We are awaiting the victim's medical results and the driver's alcohol test to see if he will be facing more criminal charges.'

Despite being one of the wealthiest countries in Asia, Thailand suffers from chronic underinvestment in its highways and education, contributing to its poor road safety levels. Only a handful of African countries are worse.

Thailand has one of the world's worst road safety records. Ministers have set the goal of reducing fatalities from 32.7 deaths per 100,000 people to 12 per 100,000 people by the year 2027.