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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