Drink driver finally on trial after arrest and assault of innocent man
Police arrested a drink driver who ran a traffic checkpoint on Prasert-Manukritch Road in Bangkok on December 4, after officers mistakenly arrested an innocent man and allegedly assaulted him on the same day.
The conflict between a 33 year old Thai man, Thananop Kirddri, and seven officers from the Traffic Police Division came to light after his family called for justice. The family took legal action against the officers due to the violent assault on Thananop.
Thananop revealed to the public that he stopped at the checkpoint, underwent an alcohol test which returned a negative result and drove off as usual. However, the police followed him, accused him of drink driving and allegedly physically assaulted him when he refused the charge and resisted arrest.
Thananop sustained severe injuries to his head and eyes, along with wounds and bruises all over his body. The incident prompted him and his family to file a complaint against the seven officers at Bang Khen Police Station.
The seven officers turned themselves in at the police station on December 5 but denied physically assaulting Thananop. They claimed they were merely carrying out their duties. However, the officers admitted they arrested the wrong person.
According to reports from the officers’ questioning, they initially stopped a man driving a red Mazda sedan at the checkpoint and conducted an alcohol test. The result was positive, so they instructed the driver to pull over for further investigation.
Real suspect identified
However, the driver sped away from the scene, prompting a high-speed chase. Unfortunately, the officers pursued the wrong person, following Thananop, who was also driving a red Mazda sedan, instead of the actual suspect.
The real drink driver, 37 year old Thanayut Kruengkrai, surrendered at Bang Khen Police Station on Tuesday, December 10. He admitted to driving under the influence and fleeing the checkpoint that night.
Thanayut faced multiple charges under the Land Transport Act. The court sentenced him to two months’ imprisonment and a fine of 15,000 baht, with his driving licence suspended for six months.
However, the prison sentence was suspended for two years, and Thanayut will be under probation for one year.
Thanayut was identified as a leader of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Red Line Train drivers. The SRT has announced his temporary suspension from duty for at least 15 days and stated that his employment could be terminated if his actions are proven to constitute a serious violation of rules.
ORIGINAL STORY: Mistaken identity: Thai man bruised by police’s sobering blunder
A 33 year old Thai man and his family are taking legal action against seven police officers for mistaking him for a drink driving suspect and brutally assaulting him in the early hours of Wednesday, December 4, on Prasert-Manukitch Road in Bangkok.
The victim’s sister, 29 year old Thanatcha Kirdsri, yesterday, December 5, visited the office of the Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) to seek justice for her older brother, 33 year old Thananop Kirdsri, who was violently attacked by traffic police officers the previous night.
Thanatcha explained that her brother was driving his red Mazda sedan past a police checkpoint on Prasert-Manukitch Road in the Chatuchak district of Bangkok at around 2am and underwent an alcohol test. His test was positive but police allowed him to continue his journey.
Unexpectedly, less than 500 metres from the checkpoint, police pursued him on three motorcycles and one pickup truck. They instructed Thananop to stop and accused him of drink driving and fleeing the checkpoint. He denied the allegations and resisted arrest.
In response, police used excessive force, kicking him in the neck, face, and body until he was covered in blood. Thananop lost his contact lenses and his sight became blurred from the assault. He was then brought back to the checkpoint.
Gift basket and flowers rejected
At the checkpoint, Thananop demanded the police check the security cameras, which showed that they arrested and attacked the wrong person. Officers apologised and rushed him to hospital. Thanatcha and her father, a former police officer, subsequently filed a complaint against the group of officers at Bang Khen Police Station.
Thanatcha stated that her brother remains in serious condition, with severe injuries to his head and eyes. He is bleeding from his eyes and his vision is still impaired. Additionally, he has wounds and bruises all over his body.
Thananop revealed to his family that seven police officers were involved in the brutal attack. The family requested to view the footage from the officers’ body cameras, but they were told the cameras were broken.
Thanatcha told ThaiRath that police sent a gift basket and a flower arrangement to her brother but the family refused them and vowed to pursue the case to the fullest extent. She and her father also denied anyone access to Thananop at the hospital.
Thananop’s father, Thanachai Kirdsri, who is a former police officer, stated that he had never seen such violent methods used to arrest a suspect during his career. He pointed out that police already had handcuffs for the arrest, so the use of force was unnecessary.
Seven police officers are identified as below:
- Police Captain Thaweepong Uetthum
- Police Sergeant Watchawawee Thaweeburut
- Police Sergeant Weerapong Manee
- Police Sergeant Paponphan Lert-anan
- Police Sergeant Keerati Prasopchok
- Police Sergeant Jakkarin Kraikuan
- Police Corporal Nattapong Dutsadee
The accused officers surrendered at Bang Khen Police Station last night for questioning. They were all temporarily released at around 1am after the interrogation.
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