Young Student Gives Statement After Driving Mitsubishi Expander Into Police Officer at Checkpoint
A 20-year-old driver from Chiang Rai struck a Bangkok traffic police officer at a checkpoint on Bangna-Trat Road on May 22, claiming he didn't see the officer signaling him to stop. Police also recovered a pistol and ammunition from the veh
On May 22, 2569, police reported on an incident where a white Mitsubishi Expander with Ubon Ratchathani license plates struck Pol. Lt. Col. Tharan Phiromjittrjerdchern, 59, an assistant traffic inspector from Bang Na Police Station, who was conducting an alcohol checkpoint on Bangna-Trat Road in northern Bang Na, Bangkok. The officer sustained serious injuries. Police apprehended two occupants: Thanabat (surname withheld), 20, the driver, and Akkarawin (surname withheld), 20, both from Chiang Rai province. Officers also seized a Glock 19 pistol caliber 9mm and 24 rounds of ammunition hidden in a spare tire compartment.
Alcohol and drug tests on both suspects came back negative. During questioning at the hospital, Thanabat stated he was driving from the Sukhumvit area with Akkarawin as a passenger. He claimed he did not see the police officer waving him down at the checkpoint and failed to slow down or stop before the vehicle struck barriers inside the inspection zone. Thanabat expressed shock at the incident and denied intentionally hitting the officer. He claimed not to know who owned the pistol or when it was placed in the vehicle.
However, authorities noted inconsistencies in his statement and plan to conduct more detailed questioning. Police have charged Thanabat with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, carrying a firearm in public without justification, and causing serious injury through negligence. Akkarawin faces charges of illegal firearm possession and carrying a weapon in public without justification.
Investigations revealed that Akkarawin has a history involving five cases of assault and illegal firearm possession, and is a member of the 'Oreo Gang,' a youth group known for violent incidents and weapons possession that made headlines in early 2568. Police Lieutenant Colonel Surpong Sukyaem, Bang Na Police Station commander, stated that investigators are tracking the suspects' route of travel, their destination, and why they used an Ubon Ratchathani-registered vehicle. Authorities are also determining the firearm's legal ownership and whether it was lawfully possessed. Investigators are conducting detailed examinations of the vehicle and evidence inside.
