PHITSANULOK – A tragic hit-and-run accident in Northern Thailand’s Phitsanulok Province has sparked widespread public outrage across Thailand. Local authorities are now facing intense pressure after a high-ranking police officer was identified as the prime suspect.
The devastating crash claimed the life of a 16-year-old boy and left two others injured. Evidence left at the scene points directly to a senior police official driving an SUV with swapped license plates.
Key Takeaways:
- Tragic Loss: A 16-year-old student died after a hit-and-run crash on the Naresuan Bridge in Phitsanulok.
- Police Involvement: A 53-year-old Police Lieutenant Colonel is the primary suspect after fleeing the scene.
- Fake Plates: The suspect’s Toyota Fortuner was illegally using license plates registered to a different vehicle.
The young victim was identified as 16-year-old Peerapat “Khao Pun” Ratuay. He was a hardworking technical college student and a talented trumpet player. Khao Pun was riding his motorcycle home from a part-time job when the fatal crash occurred on September 2.
His family recently held his funeral after waiting days for answers. They expressed deep sorrow and immense anger over the complete lack of responsibility. For five long days, no one contacted the grieving family to offer an apology or explain the incident.
Khao Pun was known throughout his community as a cheerful, kind, and incredibly resilient teenager. He was raised by his aunt and uncle after his mother became severely ill and bedridden. The young man worked tirelessly at a local rice porridge shop to earn his own spending money.
Damning Evidence Left at the Scene
The driver of the Toyota Fortuner fled immediately after the violent collision on the bridge. However, the heavy impact caused the SUV’s bumper and license plate to fall onto the road. This crucial piece of evidence led local investigators directly to the prime suspect in the case.
Police quickly discovered a major inconsistency with the dropped license plate found at the scene. The registration plate discovered on the road actually belonged to a black Honda Jazz vehicle. This confirmed that the suspect was illegally using swapped license plates on his large SUV.
Due to mounting public pressure, the Phitsanulok Provincial Police finally issued a formal public statement. They confirmed the runaway driver is a 53-year-old Police Lieutenant Colonel working in the region. He has only been identified by the initial “A” due to strict personal privacy laws.
Seeking Justice and Accountability
CCTV footage later tracked the suspect’s vehicle leaving a popular local nightclub just before the crash. Authorities confirmed the officer is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital for undisclosed injuries. Police have officially issued a summons for him to hear the criminal charges against him.
The victim’s family is now strongly demanding a thorough, fair, and completely transparent police investigation. They want to know if the police officer was properly tested for alcohol after the crash. Furthermore, they are demanding strict legal action regarding the illegal use of fake license plates.
Local Member of Parliament Natachanon Chanaboonnasak recently visited the grieving family to offer his support. He promised to help them fight for justice and ensure the law applies equally to everyone. According to local news reports from MGR Online, the MP even reported receiving threatening voice messages online.
Despite the intimidation, the local community stands firmly behind the victim’s family during this difficult time. They are hoping this heartbreaking tragedy will finally lead to real accountability for law enforcement officers. The public is watching closely to see how the police handle one of their own members.
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