Tha Chatchai Police today confirmed that they do not Thai test drivers involved in serious accidents for alcohol or other substances as standard procedure.
Instead, they decide whether or not the person is alert and sober enough to have been operating the vehicle.
The news came today (May 9) as Capt Akkara Sivilai of the Tha Chatchai Police confirmed to The Phuket News that Nitthaya Keawkwan, 24, was not charged for drunk driving as she was not tested.
Ms Nitthaya was driving on Thepkrasattri Rd in Mai Khao at 2:50am last Sunday morning (May 6) when her pickup truck flew across the median strip and slammed head-on into a tour bus travelling in the opposite direction.
A bottle of Hong Thong Thai whiskey was found in the cab of her pickup truck and officers at the scene reported that her behaviour had indicated that she was drunk, and that she was to be tested for alcohol at Tha Chatchai Police Station.
However, that did not happen, confirmed Capt Akkara confirmed to The Phuket News this morning.
“I don’t know why the report appeared in this way. I did not take her to have the alcohol test at the police station. She did not seem like she was drunk,” Capt Akkara said.
“Ms Nitthaya was not drunk when I met her at the scene. She told me that she was driving northbound to take her friend home when she dozed off. That is why her pickup truck crossed the road and caused the accident,” he said.
Regardless, Ms Nitthaya has been charged with reckless driving causing damage to property and other persons, Capt Akkara confirmed.
Capt Akkara also confirmed that Ms Nitthaya’s friend who was a passenger in the pickup truck at the time of the accident, did not suffer serious injury.
The friend was rushed to hospital before police arrived at the scene.
“Straight after investigating the scene, we went to the hospital to see her friend. She suffered scratches only,” Capt Akkara confirmed. NP – EP
