NAKHON SAWAN, Thailand – A devastating traffic accident claimed one life and severely injured another, but the surviving victim now faces legal charges instead of justice.
Frontal collision, friend dead
On February 18, Somchai Naktrakul, 57, was driving with his partner on the Tha Tako – Nakhon Sawan road. Their journey ended in tragedy when a white pickup truck, driven by Surin Maikaew, lost control, veered over the median, and collided head-on with their vehicle.
Somchai’s passenger, his life partner, tragically died at the scene. The driver of the pickup, Maikaew, also did not survive the crash. Somchai sustained severe leg fractures and remains unable to work.
Blood test reveals shocking truth
Police investigations confirmed suspicions that the pickup driver had been heavily intoxicated. A blood test revealed an alcohol level of 299 mg%, a state rendering him completely unfit to drive.
Somchai’s family was certain the culpability was clear. However, after four months of waiting, Somchai received an official letter that turned his world upside down. Instead of compensation, he is now listed as a suspect.
Officials’ explosive reasoning
Police Lieutenant Suttikorn Iam-ang confirmed the charges. The accusation states Somchai was driving on the right side of the four-lane road, instead of keeping to the left. “Before the accident, he drove for 3 seconds on the right lane without braking, showing a lack of caution,” a police statement cited from the Penal Code.
The indictment further claims Somchai could have prevented the collision by swerving left. “In this case, both drivers exhibited negligence that is not less than that of the other,” the reasoning stated. The fact that someone drove into oncoming traffic while drunk apparently does not solely assign blame in the eyes of the officers.
Daughter seethes with anger
For Somchai’s daughter, this is an incomprehensible development. “I already doubted things when the police saw the video footage that clearly shows the other party rammed my father,” she said. Her disappointment runs deep, as rumors had circulated for some time that the case could end in shared negligence.
Her father has been unable to work for four months, and treatment costs have amounted to over 400,000 Baht for the family. “He broke both legs, he can’t walk. I want justice for my father,” she pleaded.
Police refer to civil lawsuit
Police Lieutenant Suttikorn clarified that the deceased driver was also charged with the same offense of negligence. “The reason for the charge is that the claimant was driving on the right side of a 4-lane road, which according to the law is only permitted when turning around,” he explained.
Regarding Somchai’s financial claims, the police presented only one path: he must file a civil lawsuit against the relatives of the deceased driver himself. The 57-year-old now faces the agonizing prospect of legal battles against the family of the man responsible for his suffering, on top of his pain and grief.