Murder charge for truck driver over woman’s death

A 19-year-old girl who died while being driven home by a truck driver from an entertainment venue in Ayutthaya last month was murdered, according to deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul.

The driver, Surapol Darakham, had originally told police that Nareekan Yawiratch suddenly jumped out of the vehicle while he was driving, struck her head, and died as a result of her fall on July 19 in Bang Pa-in district.

Bang Pa-in police recorded her death as an accident but later charged the 23-yearold trucker for detaining her.

Pol Gen Srivara insisted yesterday this was not an accident, but “murder”, adding he is confident the evidence in police hands is enough to prosecute the suspect.

He said police will proceed to charge Mr Surapol with premeditated murder, adding the suspect intends to plead not guilty.

Pol Gen Srivara made the announcement while checking on investigations into violence-related cases in Yala.

Meanwhile, Nareekan’s family and their lawyer, Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, yesterday turned up at Provincial Police Region 1, which supervises Ayutthaya police, to seek justice for their daughter. They also brought with them a coffin carrying Nareekan’s body.

They demanded Provincial Police Region 1 commissioner Suwat Jangyodsuk transfer Pol Col Rit Sirithep, superintendent of Bang Pa-in police; Pol Capt Prasertsak Wongphupanon, deputy inspector of the station out of the province.

Mr Atchariya said Provincial Police Region 1 should form a panel to consider disciplinary action against these officers.

A woman, who is a key witness in the case and a friend of the victim, is in danger after shots were fired outside her home for two consecutive days, the lawyer said, adding attempts have also been made to abduct her.

“The witness has endured various threats to the point where she does not go anywhere,” said Mr Atchariya, adding the witness’ mother said the alleged gunman wore a jacket similar to those police wear.

Pol Lt Gen Suwat noted the officers in charge of the case had earlier botched the investigation as complaints of malfeasance surfaced.

Mr Atchariya shared an audio clip of three men discussing the use of 300,000 baht to bribe police officers investigating the case.

Pol Lt Gen Suwat said an investigation was under way to identify the men.

APICHIT JINAKUL The father of Nareekan Yawiratch, who is thought to have been murdered while making her way home in Ayutthaya’s Bang Pa-in district last month, holds a picture of his daughter in front of her coffin after taking it to the office of Provincial Police Region 1 yesterday. The family demanded that local officers, who originally treated the case as an accidental death, be moved out of the province.