The story came to the public’s attention thanks to Ms. Manao (surname withheld), the girlfriend of the deceased, Krit Thammol. She reached out to the Sai Mai Tong Rod Facebook page, hoping to rally support and seek justice for her lost partner. Krit, who was known for his services as an airport transfer driver at Suvarnabhumi Airport, tragically suffered from an ischemic stroke.
Pol Col Ratthanont disclosed that he had ordered an officer to make contact with Krit’s family. However, Ms. Manao refuted this claim, stating that the police had not reached out to her directly as they had informed the media. She mentioned that despite the police assuring the media of a scheduled meeting with her, no such communication had taken place.
According to Ms. Manao, on July 13, Krit experienced a severe headache and began vomiting soon after dropping passengers off at a hotel in the Yannawa district of Bangkok. Fearing the worst, he called her, and she urged him to head directly to the hospital. However, his condition deteriorated rapidly, making it increasingly difficult for him to control his vehicle. His struggle on the road culminated in an accident, where his car collided with several motorcycles.
In the aftermath of the collision, the communication between Krit and Ms. Manao ceased, leaving her in a state of panic. Eventually, she discovered that Krit had been detained at Yannawa Police Station under the suspicion of drunk driving. Tragically, while under police custody, Krit lost consciousness. He was eventually transported to Ratchaphiphat Hospital, where he battled complications from a brain hemorrhage for three agonizing days before passing away.
Ms. Manao expressed her profound frustration and sorrow, revealing that Krit was held at the police station for nearly two hours. She believes that had he received timely medical attention, he might have survived. She adamantly vouched for Krit’s character, asserting that he never drove under the influence of alcohol and warned of legal repercussions against the police officers if the alcohol test confirmed his sobriety.
The devastating twist in the tale came as the hospital test, conducted later, confirmed that Krit had not been drinking. This revelation intensifies Ms. Manao’s resolve to seek justice and accountability for the actions that led to such a grievous loss. The ongoing investigation by the Metropolitan Police Division 6 is now under the watchful eyes of a grieving family and a community seeking answers and justice.
This is such a heartbreaking story. It’s hard to believe that police mistook a medical emergency for intoxication.
Accidents happen, but it’s the follow-up that matters. They should have checked him more thoroughly. Such negligence is unacceptable.
Totally agree! The police should have been more attentive. It makes you wonder about their training in dealing with medical emergencies.
Yes, they definitely need better training. Lives are at stake!
It’s not just about training but accountability. There’s no excuse for ignoring obvious distress signals.
This incident perfectly encapsulates the systemic issues within our law enforcement. How many more lives have to be lost before real changes are made?
Agreed, Michael. It’s shocking and unacceptable. We need more oversight and transparency.
Absolutely, Sara. Without transparency, it’s impossible to trust the system.
Transparency and rigorous training should be the bare minimum requirements. We deserve a system we can trust.
Honestly, people are too quick to judge. Mistakes happen, and not every case is an example of institutional failure.
Maybe, but this was no small mistake. We’re talking about a life lost here!
I understand mistakes can happen, but when a life is at stake, there’s no room for them. They should face consequences.
I get that, Andy. But it’s also important to understand the immense pressure and challenges the police face daily.
I can’t imagine how Ms. Manao must be feeling. Losing someone like that and then being misled by the authorities is just cruel.
The fact that Krit wasn’t even drunk makes this even more tragic. Basic medical attention could have saved him.
It really makes you question how many similar cases go unnoticed. This could have been any one of us.
Stories like this make it clear that something needs to change in how the police handle detainees with possible medical issues.
This is what happens when there’s a lack of accountability. When officers know they won’t be held responsible, they become careless.
It’s not just accountability, it’s about proper procedures and immediate action in such cases.
Absolutely, Nancy. Both factors play a crucial role. We need to ensure that procedures are followed and there’s accountability when they’re not.
The police need more training in recognizing medical emergencies. This tragedy could have been avoided.
Training is definitely a part of it, but also having medical professionals quickly available at police stations could make a huge difference.
It’s stories like these that erode public trust in the police force. Immediate, transparent actions are needed to regain it.
Trust is so hard to rebuild once it’s lost. Stories like this reverberate through communities and increase the divide.
Absolutely, Eva. Without trust, community cooperation with law enforcement suffers, affecting everyone’s safety.
It’s horrible that his partner wasn’t contacted. There should have been better communication from the police.
When will we learn to prioritize human life and dignity over assumptions and stereotypes?
Well said, Ava. Unfortunately, systemic changes take time and consistent effort from all of us.
True, Chris. But stories like this one emphasize how urgent those changes are.
Ms. Manao’s fight for justice is commendable. More people should support her and push for answers.