Hundreds to gather for charity bike ride for slain officer

PHUKET: Hundreds of Phuket’s bikers will join together for a charity bike ride to raise funds for the family of the Tah Chat Chai police officer who was killed by a drunk driver on Monday (story here).

Captain Suthat Songmuang was preparing for his role as part of the security team for the visit of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn when he was struck by a van driven by 25-year-old Pichitpol Pakkaew, whose blood alcohol content level was .076 – .026 over the legal limit.

The bikers will gather on Saturday at the PTT gas station in Baan Li Porn at 9am where there will be a donation box available.

“We will leave at 11am for the Tah Chat Chai checkpoint to give all of the funds raised to Capt Suthat’s wife,” said Wichai Kaewdam, head of the Hua Jai Diao Kan (same heart) biker group.

“Not only do we want to show our support for Capt Suthat’s family and encourage police to continue to do great work, but we want to remind everyone that we are a good group of people who like to give back to the community and not just drive around aimlessly on big bikes,” he added.

— Chutharat Plerin