Deaths caused by reckless driving in Thailand again raise issue of 'double standards'

[hhinner]

It's the police (not sure that's an accurate translation from the Thai "Dtam Ruat") that need reforming, reeducating, restructuring, re-everything. Of course that can't happen until lots of other things go through the process as well - government, governance, education, judiciary.

Incidentally the Enlish language wikipedia page about the Royal Thai Police is quite interesting. The Thai version is completely different of course.

[europtimiste]

hhinner, I should have added: CUBA

[dtaai-maai]

How did privileges ended in some countries ? Think at French Revolution and even better the Russian Revolution 1917.

I think you make a very good point. No-ones talking about the monarchy here, just the newly stinking rich who have no moral compass, humility, common civility or intelligence, who quite clearly abuse a system of deference based on wealth and perceived position. At some stage, some people will say enough is enough and I don't think we're too far away. Certainly, in the latest incident, the moron driving the merc went on facebook, to say, what more do you want, do you wish I had died - he wouldn't have liked the answers he got.

I think you make a good point, caller. I'm not sure it has much in common with the point europtimiste is making though...

[Bluesky]

Sasiwan Mokkhasen
25 May 2016, Last update at 18:25:00 GMT
Red Bull Heir Fails to Appear, Again. Given Another Chance, Again.

BANGKOK — A deadline passed at 4pm today for Red Bull heir Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya to meet with prosecutors four years after he killed a Thonglor cop, but the 31-year-old fugitive will be given yet another chance before a warrant is sought for his arrest.

Prosecutor Suthi Kittisupaporn said Vorayuth’s failure to appear Wednesday afternoon without providing a reason will be met with a second request for Thonglor police, who are responsible for the case, to summon him.

He was ordered to appear Wednesday in regard to a charge of reckless driving from when Vorayuth killed Sgt. Maj. Wichian Klanprasert with his Ferrari at high speed before fleeing the scene to hide at nearby family home in 2012

After an initial surge of public interest and vows Vorayuth would be prosecuted, the case petered out in 2014 and was effectively dropped for nearly two years. It returned to public and media interest again in March when wealthy businessman Jenphop Veeraporn killed two students, providing yet another example of a dual-track justice system in which the wealthy and well-connected avoid punishment.

Attorney General Vows to Prosecute Stalled Case Against Red Bull Heir

Should Vorayuth fail to report in person in the next 30 days without a valid excuse, then authorities said they will seek a warrant for his arrest. Authorities made no mention of his whereabouts. Although Vorayuth has kept a low profile, a number of sightings in Bangkok have been reported over the years. There has been no warrant for his arrest.

It’s not the first time the grandson of billionaire Red Bull founder Chaleo Yoovidhya failed to appear. He didn’t show up a number of times in 2013 before eventually absconding to Singapore. His family said he was ill.

Two previous misdemeanor charges filed against him – speeding and property damage – already expired. A charge of not reporting the incident to police will expire next year.

The most serious charge – reckless driving resulting in death – won’t expire until 2027.

Suthi said the Vorayuth’s lawyer could ask prosecutors to postpone the legal process but only by citing a demonstrably serious reason such as an imminent, emergency medical procedure.

Meanwhile Sgt. Maj. Wichian’s family, who privately settled with the Yoovidhyas for 3 million baht, recently filed a letter asking prosecutors to consider further charges against Vorayuth, Suthi said.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... section=12

[Bristolian]

Done, dusted, financially sorted, put to bed and forgotten. Now unfortunately needs little more dusting before it becomes an inactive case again and resumes its slumber. Don't hold your breath for any kind of conviction in our lifetimes.

[GLCQuantum]

The rich always get away with it, don't they? May them rot in hell and be banished from reincarnation. Bla bla,bla.

Do you guys listen to yourselves? Read the news much?

Those hit and runners (bottom rung of the ladder chaps, bus drivers, minivan drivers, fortuner drivers) that 'flee the scene' get a slap on the wrist or a few weeks in jail, just the same as those 'rich folk' that you despise so much.

This isn't an issue of double standards. It's an issue of no standards.

[Bristolian]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... en-charges

Benz driver pleads guilty to one of seven charges

Janepob Veeraporn has pleaded guilty to one of the seven charges in connection with a high-speed car crash in Ayutthaya that killed two postgraduate students in March.

Mr Janepob accepted the charge of reckless driving causing death and entered not guilty pleas to six others laid against him when he appeared before the Ayutthaya Provincial Court on Monday. The court set Dec 2 to begin the examination of evidence and witness lists.

Mr Janepob, accompanied by his family and lawyer, refused to talk to reporters and left the court immediately.

The other six charges are speeding, drink-driving causing death, driving under the influence of drugs causing death, driving while unfit to do so, driving without regard for safety of others, and defying an order issued under the Traffic Act by the authorities for him to undergo alcohol and drugs tests and flouting other orders issued under the Criminal Code.

Mr Janepob, 37, rammed his Mercedes-Benz into the rear of a Ford carrying Thanthaphat Horsaengchai, 34, and Kritsana Thaworn, 32, on Phahon Yothin Road in Ayutthaya’s Bang Pa-in district on March 13. The dead students, whose car was burst into flames, were pursuing master's degrees at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University.

Wichian Choobthaisong, a lawyer representing the Horsaengchai family, said the defendant’s lawyer earlier asked the court to suspend the criminal proceedings, citing Mr Janepob’s mental state as a reason. The court summoned doctors to testify to prove the claim. But the defence later asked the court to drop the petition and said Mr Janepob would fight the case, leading to the first hearing on Monday.

The Horsaengchai family also filed a civil lawsuit seeking 100 million baht from Mr Janepob after he had not contacted it, Mr Wichian said.

Thanthaphat’s mother said: “I understand parents' feelings. They don’t want to see their child being a wrongdoer.

“But I want Thanthaphat’s case to be an example and set a precedent for Thai society. It will be of considerable benefit to many families whose loved ones are driving on the roads.

“I believe the court administers justice impartially.”