Two-Year-Old Killed In Drunk Driving Crash, Driver Absent From Funeral
A 2-year-old killed in a June drunk driving crash in Lampang was cremated July 4 as the accused driver, a former sub-district official, remained absent from the funeral service and has not contacted the injured mother about compensation.
Residents of Lampang gathered on July 4, 2025 at Wat Si Koet temple to hold a merit-making and cremation ceremony for 'Nong Toem Farn', a 2-year-old victim of a drunk driving accident, with the suspect notably absent. The child was killed after a pickup truck struck a parked sedan before spinning out and hitting the family of three walking along Phahonyothin Road in Phichai subdistrict, Mueang district, Lampang on June 8. The father was injured, while the mother, Arunrada (May), 35, suffered severe injuries including two broken left leg bones and three broken ribs. The driver is an alleged former sub-district official from Phichai.
The ceremony was attended by several government representatives, local lawmakers from the Kla Tha Tham party, Songmeaung Wong Chai, mayor of Phichai Municipality, and Dr. Saman Fu Saeng, deputy mayor, along with family, friends, and residents. Abbot Kru In Wet Phitaksa of Wat Si Koet led 11 Buddhist monks in chanting. The grieving mother watched photographs of her child throughout the service as family members expressed their sorrow. The casket was decorated with toys, toy cars, and balloons that the child loved. Notably, the driver sent no representative to the funeral.
Following the ceremony, the child's body was transported by a blue six-wheel truck belonging to Lampang Municipality to Trilak Cemetery in Mueang district for cremation. Many locals sought lottery numbers based on the truck's license plate and the child's age. Attorney Kamal stated that the suspect has confessed and the Mueang Lampang Police Station is expected to forward the case to prosecutors within the week. He noted the suspect has disputed liability and sought to implicate the parked car's owner, though this has no bearing on the case. The attorney called for justice and compensation for the mother, who lost her beloved child and suffered severe injuries, as the suspect has yet to contact the family regarding compensation.
