Police Report 11 People Burned Alive in Passenger Van Crash

Police report an LNG-powered passenger van crashed into the median ditch and burst into flames, killing eleven people, including the driver, in northeastern Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima province.

The accident happened around 9.30 p.m. on the Bangkok-bound side of the highway in the Si Khiu district of Nakhon Ratchasima.

An initial police investigation revealed that the Amnat Charoen-registered Toyota van was carrying the driver and 11 passengers. We were on our way from Amnat Charoen to Nakhon Pathom province.

The van veered sideways between km 99 and 100, colliding with the metal railing and crashing into the ditch in the median strip. The LNG-powered van then caught fire.

Nikom Sae Oun, leader of the Hook 31 rescue unit at Mo Chabok in the nearby Si Khiu district, said he rushed to the scene after hearing a loud explosion and found the van engulfed in flames. A passenger was seen attempting to exit the van.

A fire engine arrived quickly and extinguished the fire. However, 11 people, including the driver, were killed in the van. Thanachit Kingkaew, 20, was identified as the passenger who narrowly escaped death. He was taken to Si Khiu Hospital for treatment.

Governor Saksayam Sirimongkol arrived at the accident scene to inspect the damage. He later visited the survivor at the hospital.

Police said they are investigating the cause of the accident.

Police Investigate Graft Allegations

Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Police headquarters are looking into a 9.5-million-baht graft charge against Bangkok’s Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy commissioner and deputy chief of the Patrol and Special Operations Division.

According to a police headquarters spokesman, Pol Maj Gen Atchayon Kraithong, they have formed a committee to investigate nine PSD police officers, also known as the 191 police, over allegations of graft and corruption.

He stated on Friday that the committee would look into whether the two senior police officers have any ties to an ongoing embezzlement case.

The investigation followed a raid on the home of the former consulate general of the Republic of Nauru on December 22, 2022, led by police officers from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and 191 police officers.

Officers from Thung Mahamek Police Station, located in the same precinct as the ex-consul-general, are looking into reports that 5.5 million baht went missing and another 4 million baht is suspected of changing hands for the release of 11 Chinese nationals discovered at the site.

The officers are gathering evidence and questioning witnesses, according to Pol Maj Gen Atchayon, and the missing money will be found soon.

Pol Maj Gen Atchayon also updated the media on Chinese businessman Chaiyanat “Tuhao” Kornchayanant, stating that police may seek the revocation of bail for Mr. Chaiyanat’s wife, Pol Col Wanthanaree Kornchayanant if she is found to have interfered with evidence in her husband’s case.

After the Office of Narcotics Litigation sent a 332-page investigation report to the Bangkok South Criminal Court on Thursday, Attorney-General Naree Thanthasathian filed multiple charges, including narcotics and money laundering, against Mr. Chaiyanat and 41 other suspects. On Monday, the Attorney General’s Office (OAG) will testify.

The OAG’s deputy spokesman, Kosolwat Inthuchanyong, stated that they are questioning 23 suspects on bail and looking for another 18.

He said that the OAG would contact every country where the fugitives are said to be fleeing to seek their extradition.

According to the Internal Affairs Ministry, the Chinese owner of Club One Pattaya was stripped of his Thai citizenship yesterday for violating the registration law.

In the early hours of October 22, Club One Pattaya was raided, and drugs were confiscated while approximately 200 Thai and foreign customers fled.

DSI Officials and 9 Police Officers Charged with Extortion in Bangkok

DSI Officials and 9 Police Officers Charged with Extortion in Bangkok