In the tranquil village of tambon Chet Samian in Ratchaburi’s Photharam district, a seemingly normal Sunday morning turned into a scene of tragedy and tears for the family of 84-year-old Bunchu Aramkong. In the heart of the village, where the smell of freshly brewed coffee often blends with the early morning air, an incident unfolded that shocked the local community and gripped the hearts of many.
Bunchu, a beloved elderly figure known for his kind demeanor and daily routine, had a habit of stepping out every morning to sweep in front of his cozy home. This routine also included crossing the road to dispose of gathered leaves and other bits of humble debris. For Bunchu’s family, especially his 36-year-old granddaughter, Arporn Muangchim, this ritual was as predictable as the sunrise.
However, fate had a different plan on this fateful Sunday. Just as Bunchu made his usual trek across the road, a speedy pickup truck, seemingly unnoticeable at first, altered the narrative. At approximately 6 a.m., Arporn heard the ominous sound of a vehicle accompanied by a heart-wrenching crunch. Alarmed, she rushed outside, only to find one of her grandfather’s well-worn sandals lying lonesome on the tarmac—the silent witness to a sudden tragedy.
As her heart raced, Arporn glimpsed the pickup truck disappearing into the distance. Fueled by a surge of urgency and emotion, she, alongside relatives, sprang into action. They pursued the runaway vehicle, screaming and pleading for the driver to halt, but to no avail. After an agonizing chase, they discovered Bunchu’s lifeless body about 10 kilometers down the road, marked by grievous injuries from being dragged by the fleeing truck.
The sequence of events left onlookers asking one harrowing question: how could this happen? Surveillance footage provided answers as it depicted the pickup careening down the road with Bunchu’s body, his hand heartbreakingly peeking out from under the chassis. Relentless in pursuit of justice, the local authorities traced the truck’s path through these camera feeds, eventually locating it parked solemnly in front of a temple in tambon Tha Chumpon.
In a startling revelation, 61-year-old Paeng Somjai, the driver of the pickup, confessed with a downcast demeanor. His decision to flee, he explained, was a reaction born from panic—a common yet catastrophic human error. As Pho Tharam’s police processed the scene, the weight of his actions was undeniably apparent as he faced charges of reckless driving resulting in death and the stark violation of a hit-and-run.
This heart-rending incident has sent ripples through the community, serving as a grim reminder of the fragility of life and the profound impacts of every choice made in a split second. For Bunchu’s family, the road that once symbolized daily routine now possesses an irreplaceable void—a gentle grandfather gone too soon, leaving behind memories and an emptiness echoing through tambon Chet Samian.
In the midst of mourning, the villagers band together, drawing upon the strength of their close-knit community to comfort and support one another. There is a shared hope that justice, once served, will bring some solace to Bunchu’s bereaved family and that heightened awareness will foster safer roads for all.
This is absolutely heartbreaking. How can anyone just flee the scene after such a tragedy? I hope justice is served swiftly.
I agree. It’s hard to comprehend how someone could leave a person in such a state.
Panic can make people do irrational things, but it doesn’t make it right. He needs to face consequences.
Yes, exactly. Panic isn’t an excuse for leaving someone to die.
More traffic laws need to be enforced to prevent such incidents. It should be a priority.
Bunchu sounds like he was such a gentle soul. Communities need to rally together in times like this to demand better road safety.
Agreed, Samantha! It’s up to us to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
True, but people often forget about these things after a while. Sustained efforts are needed.
Couldn’t agree more. We need campaigns to focus on raising awareness and educating drivers.
I’m still shaken by the thought of Bunchu’s body being dragged like that. There needs to be harsher punishments for hit-and-run drivers.
Punishments need to be severe enough to deter such actions, but we also need to address the panic aspect.
You’re right. Education about what to do in accidents might help reduce panic-driven decisions.
With surveillance technology improving, criminals can’t hide easily. Kudos to the police for their swift work here.
Technological advancements can help, but we also need real-time monitoring.
This tragedy makes me worry about my own grandparents crossing the street. What are we doing wrong as a society?
We live in a fast-paced world. We need more empathy, patience, and better road infrastructure.
We could start with better driving schools and tougher tests.
I’ve known Bunchu since I was a child. His kindness resonated with everyone he met. Photharam will never be the same.
I can’t imagine the trauma Bunchu’s family must be going through. They need support now more than ever.
Let’s organize a community support group or vigil for the family.
We need structural changes at community and national levels to better protect pedestrians. This shouldn’t just be a reminder, but a catalyst for change.
Does anyone know how new traffic laws are implemented here? Can we push for reforms?
Traffic legislation changes can be initiated through petitions to local government offices.
This story is terrifying. I’ll be driving my grandparents everywhere from now on.