Retired Thai Teacher Kills Two in Drunk Driving Incident in Chaiyaphum
CHAIYAPHUM, Thailand – A retired Thai teacher, 67-year-old Prapaisri Kaewkul, has been arrested after causing a fatal drunk driving accident that claimed the lives of two motorcyclists on Bamnet-Jaturat Road in Bamnet Narong district on February 23.
Police officers from Bamnet Narong Police Station arrived at the scene to intervene as enraged relatives of the victims attempted to attack Prapaisri. Footage shared by ThaiRath captured one of the relatives shouting at the police in frustration.
The victims were identified as 46-year-old Suchart Klinsisook and 30-year-old Anake Dansubchak. Reports indicate that Prapaisri’s saloon car collided with their motorcycle and dragged them for 30 meters before coming to a stop. Suchart was pronounced dead at the scene, while Anake succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The wrecked motorcycle was found lodged under Prapaisri’s car, which was covered in bloodstains along with the road.
During questioning, Prapaisri admitted to attending a party before driving home but denied being intoxicated. She claimed the victims had cut in front of her, preventing her from stopping in time. Her statement further angered the victims’ relatives, who demanded an immediate alcohol test. The test results revealed that she had 70 milligrams per cent of alcohol in her system—exceeding Thailand’s legal limit of 50 milligrams per cent.
Prapaisri has been charged under Section 291 of the Criminal Law for reckless behavior leading to death. If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to 200,000 baht.
Fatal drunk-driving incidents continue to be a major concern in Thailand. In December last year, a Mercedes-Benz driver struck and killed a female delivery rider in Bangkok, while another drunk driver crashed into a school in Nakhon Ratchasima, resulting in the deaths of a four-year-old boy and a traffic police officer.
