In the early hours of Sunday morning, tragedy struck in Bang Khen district when a highly intoxicated taxi driver collided with a police officer overseeing a charity running event. The officer, Pol Sub Lt Assada Chamniansri, 54, a deputy traffic inspector from Bang Khen police station, was directing traffic on Phahol Yothin Road near the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) depot around 6am when the incident occurred. Despite immediate assistance, he tragically passed away later at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital due to the severity of his injuries.
The taxi driver responsible for the collision was identified as Warabut Somsawang, 45. Subsequent tests revealed his blood alcohol level was a staggering 287 milligrams, greatly surpassing the legal limit of 50 mg. Mr. Warawut claimed he had been at a friend’s residence in Huai Kwang district, where he indulged in watching English Premier League football matches and denied being intoxicated. He asserted that he attempted to avoid the collision upon seeing Pol Sub Lt Assada in the roadway but was unable to control his vehicle.
Facing charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving causing death, Mr. Warabut’s actions led to a devastating loss during a mini-marathon organized by Phranakhon Rajabhat University (PNRU).
(Photo: Rajabhat charity run, pnrurun Facebook)
