Chiang Rai doctor kills 2 first-year students in car crash
A medical instructor is under investigation after he allegedly attempted to run a red light and rear-ended a motorcycle, killing two university students in Chiang Rai on Tuesday, August 25.
Ban Du Police Station officers investigated the crash at Nang Lae Intersection on Phahonyothin Road at around 8.25pm after receiving a report. Police found a red MG5 sedan registered in Chiang Rai and a black Honda Scoopy I registered in Nan at the scene.
The sedan was driven by Kamol, a 32 year old doctor whose surname is being withheld. He is a lecturer in diagnostic radiology at Mae Fah Luang University’s medical school.
Police said an alcohol test conducted on the day of the crash found no alcohol in Kamol’s system. CCTV footage showed the crash occurred in dim lighting, while police found no braking or skid marks from the sedan.
The three victims were first-year students from the Faculty of Law at Mae Fah Luang University who were travelling together on the motorcycle.
Two students died in the crash. They were identified as 19 year old Nichapha Promtong from Nan province and 18 year old Alfarin Gazo from Pattani province. Both had moved to Chiang Rai about one month earlier to begin their studies.
The third student, 18 year old Phatchareeporn Nakhonchan from Chon Buri province, suffered serious leg injuries and remains under close medical care.
Witnesses, Wuttichai and Benjamas, told ThaiRath that the students had stopped their motorcycle at a red light at the intersection. They said the sedan suddenly changed lanes and continued through the red light before hitting the motorcycle.
Wuttichai said one of the victims was thrown into a dark roadside forest. He initially believed there were only two victims until another victim’s mobile phone rang from nearby grassland.
He said the medical instructor appeared shaken after the crash and repeatedly said that he had been careless. Wuttichai also voiced concern over reports that Kamol had told police words to the effect that he still had a long future ahead of him.
Kamol denied the reported remark on Monday, August 31. He told reporters he could not recall saying anything that might have caused the misunderstanding, and insisted he did not say those words to police. He said he went straight to help the most badly injured student, stayed at the scene to give statements, and drove normally with no intention of fleeing. He added that he had contacted the victims’ families from the day of the crash, helped with funeral costs, and visited the injured student in hospital.
Wuttichai expressed concern about the investigation and called on police to handle the case fairly. He said the students also had futures ahead of them and had travelled from their home provinces to Chiang Rai to pursue their studies and dreams.
Mae Fah Luang University’s law school community issued a message of condolence for the two first-year students, sending support to their families. A Facebook group for university students also encouraged members to share information about the fatal crash and call for justice for their friends.
The chief of Ban Du Police Station said on August 31 that Kamol had been called in to formally acknowledge a reckless driving charge. Kamol admitted running the red light, the chief said, but insisted he had no intention of fleeing.
