CRIME FORMER MISS THAILAND'S SON CHARGED
Man rams car into bus passengers, killing one
POST REPORTERS
A son of a former Miss Thailand winner has been charged with murder and attempted murder after he ran over several bus passengers with his car, killing one and injuring a number of others, following a quarrel with the bus driver on Wednesday night. Kanpithak Patchimsawat, 20-year-old son of Sawinee Pakaranang and Kan-anek Patchimsawat, accused Sathaporn Arunsiri, 37, the driver of bus No 513, of hitting his car while in the Asoke area.
After a brief argument, both left the scene. When the bus stopped at a traffic light at Aree intersection near Sukhumvit Soi 26, Mr Kanpithak left the car to approach the bus driver. The driver then told passengers to leave the bus for another vehicle. Before they could be picked up, Mr Kanpithak got back into his car and rammed it into the waiting passengers. Three people were trapped under the car when it came to a stop.
Eyewitnesses and other passengers tried to lift the Mercedes to free the victims, who were taken to Chulalongkorn Hospital. One victim, Saichon Luangsaeng, 42, was pronounced dead at the hospital yesterday while two others are being treated for serious injuries.
The angry crowd then turned on Mr Kanpithak, assaulting him before police stepped in. He is being treated at Samitivej Hospital.
Pol Lt-Gen Adisorn Nonsi, the metropolitan police chief, said police would treat all sides fairly. Mr Kanpitak is the nephew of Ukrit Patchimsawat, retired deputy police chief.
Police are awaiting the results of an alcohol test and medical records of Mr Kanpithak, who was reportedly once treated at Galaya Rajanagarindra Institute and has a problem with self-control.
The family of Mrs Saichon yesterday filed a complaint with police. Her daughter Sucheera Insuwan, 25, said the family wanted Mr Kanpithak prosecuted. Mrs Saichon, a financial officer of the state-run bus agency, the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, was among passengers waiting when the Mercedes hit her.
Mr Kan-anek, father of Mr Kanpithak, says he will take all responsibility for what happened.
The family agreed to pay compensation to the injured and the family of the dead victim.
At a press conference, Mr Kan-anek and Mrs Sawinee, who are divorced, expressed regret.
Mr Kanpithak had suffered from depression and his body would stiffen in a fit when enraged, his father said.
His son would be ordained to make merit for the dead victim