Phuket crash kills Central family member

THALANG: The youngest brother of Central Group Chairman Suthikiati Chirathivat died in a car smash in Phuket on Saturday night. Pol Maj Suppawat Suksiri, of Tah Chat Chai Police Station, said that Sutthipong Chirathivat, 42, was driving his Volkswagen alone from his house in Baan Kor-Ane along Thepkrasattri Rd toward Phuket Town at about 9 pm. In rain on a curve near the turning to Phuket International Airport, he lost control and the car hit a pole. Police contacted the Kusonlatham Foundation so that a heavy-duty metal cutter could be used to free K. Sutthipong from the twisted wreck, but he died before reaching Thalang Hospital. Maj Suppawat said, “We are not sure whether the victim was driving fast but that area is notorious for accidents because the big curve is slippery, especially in rain.” The body has been flown to Bangkok for a funeral ceremony at Wat Thepsirin Sala 15. The Central Group, which is one of Thailand’s biggest companies, includes a national department store chain, hotels and other businesses.