Sub Lt Thanom Haesathit of the Phang Nga Muang District Police was taken into custody on Sept 9 after he left six people injured after his pickup truck crossed Phetkasem Rd and crashed into them – then he fled the scene.
Witnesses said Sub Lt Thanom reeked of alcohol when he exited his vehicle at a local temple. The incident sparked outrage among local residents in Phang Nga Town. (See story here.)
In less than 24 hours, Sub Lt Thanom was then released on bail of B20,000 after he was charged with reckless driving causing injury and fleeing the scene of an accident. (See story here.)
After taking more than two weeks to ascertain the results of the blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) tests from Phang Nga Hospital, police finally confirmed that Sub Lt Thanom will be charged with drunk driving. (See story here.)
Yesterday (Oct 11), Lt Dusit Phongphan, an inspector with the Phang Nga Muang District Police, confirmed that police had concluded their investigation into the case.
“Sub Lt Thanom Haesathit will face charges of reckless driving, fleeing the scene of an accident (hit and run), causing injury to others and driving under the influence of alcohol,” he said.
“We have concluded our investigation into the case involving Sub Lt Thanom after finally receiving the BAC test results from Phang Nga Hospital after waiting for more than two weeks, and they confirm that the officer’s alcohol level was more than 50mg at the time of the incident,” he noted.
However, Lt Dusit refused to reveal what the BAC test result was confirming how much alcohol was in Sub Lt Thanom’s system on the night of the hit-and-runs.
He also did not explain why it took two weeks to receive the BAC test results.
Lt Dusit yesterday also said, “All three people injured in Phang Nga Hospital are now being taken care of by Sub Lt Thanom Haesathit and they have left the hospital and gone back home.”
Those details conflict with earlier confirmed reports that six people were initially taken to hospital for treatment of injuries after being struck by Sub Lt Thanom’s pickup truck, and that two of the injured were required to stay in hopsital for at least 10 days. (See story here.)
During the course of the investigation, Phang Nga Police have not released the names of any of the people injured or reported the extent of their injuries.
Lt Dusit confirmed that Lt Thanom will face a police disciplinary tribunal over the incident, but refused to detail what standard policy mandated be handed down as punishment for police officers found guilty of multiple counts of drunk driving causing injury to others and then fleeing the scene of the accidents.
“The Phang Nga Muang District Police will do the best with our duty on standard practice for police officers found guilty of drunk driving,” he said.