Thai drug-addict damages 12 electricity poles in car crash

A Thai drug addict crashed his sedan into an electricity pole in Soi Lat Phrao 48, Huai Khwang district of Bangkok, causing damage to 12 poles and a 24,000-volt transformer. Drugs were found in his vehicle.

The 28 year old suspect, Asan Naya, was admitted to hospital with minor injuries following the crash. His white Honda City ZX was severely damaged at the front, and one of the electricity poles fell onto the car, destroying the windscreen.

Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries to other motorists, pedestrians, or residents in the area. However, the entire community was affected by the incident, as the electricity was cut off due to the damage caused to the poles and transformer.

Asan was reportedly under the influence of drugs, leading to drug and alcohol tests, which confirmed he was positive for methamphetamine, also known as Yaba.

Officers from Sutthisan Police Station searched Arsun’s car and found drugs, including 25 Yaba pills and crystal meth. A gun and a bottle resembling a kratom drink were also discovered in the vehicle.

Asan explained that he was driving back to his rented room in Soi Lat Phrao 48 when the accident occurred. Police subsequently searched his room but found no illegal items.

According to his criminal history, Arsun was arrested in 2014 and 2016 in the southern provinces of Yala and Pattani on drug charges, and he was arrested again earlier this year for gambling.

Arsun now faces five charges, including:

• Section 7 of the Act on Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, Fireworks, and Imitation Firearms: possession of a gun without permission. The penalty is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.
• Section 8 of the Act on Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, Fireworks, and Imitation Firearms: carrying a gun in a public place without permission or necessity. The penalty is up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both.
• Section 162 of the Narcotics Control Act: use of a Category 1 drug (methamphetamine). The penalty is up to one year in prison, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.
• Section 97 and Section 91 of the Narcotics Act: using drugs in Narcotic Category 1 (methamphetamine) while driving. The penalty is between six months and three years’ imprisonment, a fine of 10,000 to 20,000 baht, or both.
• Section 43(3) of the Land Transport Act: reckless driving causing damage to state property. The penalty is a fine of 2,000 to 4,000 baht.

ThaiRath reported that officials from the Metropolitan Electricity Authority had to spend two days installing new poles to restore electricity to the area. The suspect will also required to pay for the loss of the property, but the amount of it has not yet been concluded.