In a twist of fate that echoes the very unpredictability of life itself, a seemingly ordinary day for BMW driver Smitthiphat Leenawarat took a sudden detour in Pathum Thani. On a day like any other, the eastern outer ring road witnessed a traffic collision that would soon become a topic of widespread discussion.
On that fateful Wednesday, 28-year-old Smitthiphat found himself at the heart of a legal storm. Following the unsettling incident, Police Colonel Thiradet Chanlad of Lam Luk Ka police station announced that the charges against Smitthiphat were formally acknowledged on Friday evening. Accompanied by his lawyer, the young driver faced a litany of charges—assault causing bodily or mental harm, assault causing serious bodily injury, property damage, and reckless driving.
Pol Col Thiradet hinted that Smitthiphat’s troubles might not end there, as the possibility of a document forgery charge loomed ominously. To make matters murkier, the elusive registration documents for the BMW’s red license plate remained elusive within the Department of Land Transportation’s database, raising eyebrows and suspicions alike. Inevitably, Smitthiphat’s prized BMW found itself impounded, awaiting further scrutiny.
Yet, despite this whirlwind of accusations, Smitthiphat found a momentary reprieve in temporary release—a gesture stemming from his voluntary appearance at the police station.
The narrative took a dramatic turn on that otherwise nondescript Wednesday when Smitthiphat’s BMW and a pickup truck, driven by 65-year-old Prachak Duangyai, crossed paths. A side-swipe later, Prachak and his wife, Somsri, 64, bore the brunt of the collision. Prachak’s ordeal was particularly harrowing, with six broken ribs landing him in intensive care, while Somsri’s condition remained unknown, casting a shadow over the Duangyai family’s fate.
The plot thickened further as Friday rolled around, when Smitthiphat, alongside his father—a former mayor of the Thanyaburi subdistrict municipality—sought to clear the air. Appearing on TV, Smitthiphat recounted his side of the story with a mix of candor and remorse. He alleged that the disaster was set into motion when the pickup truck ventured into his lane, prompting a series of unfortunate events. In an attempt to right this wrong, he offered to shoulder the victims’ medical expenses and extend financial support, emphasizing his regret with the sincerity of one caught in the crosshairs of destiny. “I deeply regret the accident and had no intention of injuring [the victims],” he stated earnestly.
Adding an unexpected twist to the tale, highway police slapped an additional fine on Smitthiphat—6,000 baht for driving with an expired license. It was a detail that added yet another layer to the complex tapestry of this incident, a reminder of how small oversights can have far-reaching consequences.
As the dust settles, the saga of Smitthiphat Leenawarat serves as a poignant reminder of the fragile dance between fate and responsibility on life’s unpredictable highway.
I’m sorry, but I don’t buy Smitthiphat’s story. It’s too convenient that he only comes forward with his remorse and offers of help after the media starts covering the incident.
People often have a change of heart when they realize the gravity of a situation. It’s possible he genuinely feels regret.
Or perhaps he’s just trying to protect his public image. Actions speak louder than words.
Sounds like a classic case of the rich trying to buy their way out of trouble. His dad being a former mayor doesn’t help his credibility either.
It’s not fair to assume all wealthy people are like that. Some genuinely want to right their wrongs, regardless of their status.
Oh please, almost everyone drives without a valid license at some point. 6,000 baht is way too much!
Driving without a valid license is illegal for a reason. Safety needs to be the priority.
The BMW’s registration issues are shady. This guy should be investigated thoroughly. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
Definitely. Especially when the registration isn’t in the database. It’s suspicious.
@Linda @Tom, let’s not jump to conclusions without all the facts.
If the pickup truck moved into his lane, isn’t Prachak partially at fault too?
Why do people side with the driver who admitted fault? Actions have consequences, as they should.
It’s refreshing to see someone own up to their mistakes for once. Hopefully, other drivers will learn from his admission of guilt.
Why was the wife’s condition barely covered in media? We need to know how she’s doing!
Agreed! Sometimes the human element gets lost in the legal drama.
So many are quick to judge but honestly, accidents happen. Could have been anyone in that situation.
I bet this will all get swept under the rug given his family connections.
There’s no excuse for reckless driving. It endangers everyone, period.
Why wasn’t the expired license checked before? Sloppy work by everyone involved if you ask me!
Licenses should be checked during every police encounter. It’s a basic step.
How come no one’s talking about how long Prachak will be in recovery? Six broken ribs are no joke.
Let’s see if they actually cover the medical expenses as promised. Words are cheap.
Hopefully, this serves as a wake-up call for everyone to drive more carefully. One second can change lives.
It’s frustrating to see how these incidents sometimes take center stage while more critical issues get ignored.