Teacher's Car Strikes Teen Motorcyclist; Family Questions Investigation
A 17-year-old motorcyclist died in Buriram after a teacher's sedan struck him at high speed, but police ruled it "shared negligence" despite CCTV showing the boy riding safely in his lane. The family questions the investigation and says the
On September 4, 2024, residents of Pang Ku subdistrict, Prakonchai district, Buriram province, complained to media that they had not received fair treatment from investigating officers at Prakonchai Police Station and an insurance company representative, alleging the victim was being blamed to avoid insurance claim payments.
Suthatip, 37, a laborer from Sri Takrong village, Pang Ku subdistrict, Prakonchai district, Buriram province, recounted that on August 18, her 17-year-old son Sivakorn, a Grade 11 student, was riding a Yamaha motorcycle heading toward Prakonchai town, approximately 8 kilometers away, accompanied by his aunt Supap on a separate bike. Around 14:00, at roughly the 4-kilometer mark, a white sedan driven by a female teacher struck the rear of his motorcycle. The boy died at the scene; his aunt suffered minor injuries.
Police and the insurance company investigated, but one day later, officers concluded it was "shared negligence." The teacher provided 3,000 baht for funeral expenses. After the funeral, when Suthatip reviewed CCTV footage from the accident site, she discovered her son had been riding properly in the left lane while the sedan approached at high speed and struck him, sending him flying over 50 meters. This, she questioned, could not constitute shared negligence.
Investigating officers later called her to meet the driver, who gave her 10,000 baht. Though reluctant, she accepted when officers suggested treating it as funeral assistance. Suthatip stated tearfully that her son was LGBTQ and had spoken of enlisting in the military after dressing nicely. She received only 13,000 baht total for funeral costs and has no recourse, as the case outcome rests entirely with police analysis. She noted the accident location had no merging lanes and sought guidance from knowledgeable persons to pursue justice.
The boy's aunt confirmed she and her nephew did not drive side-by-side, fearing obstruction, traveling at no more than 60 km/h and riding carefully. She received 1,000 baht in compensation.
Investigators confirmed the accident site is a straight four-lane road with no merging lanes. Piya Parakonchai, who operates a repair shop with CCTV cameras nearby, witnessed the sedan approaching at high speed and striking the motorcycle violently. Upon reviewing his footage, he believed the sedan was traveling at least 120 km/h.
