20-Year-Old Detained and Held for Court After Pickup Truck Hits Nurse Assistant, Friends Rally at Police Station - Thairath English
Mae Ping Police Station officers have detained a 20-year-old man for court custody after he led a group to settle a feud, then drove a pickup truck that struck and killed a female nurse assistant. His friends gathered in large numbers at the police station to offer support, saying the issue will eventually be resolved. The suspect remained silent and did not respond to questions or apologize to the victim's family.
In the incident, 20-year-old Natthiphat Lungchai, also known as Muang, an ethnic Tai Yai from Myanmar, led a group to settle scores with the rival "Bang Peak" gang, resulting in a chaotic clash on the roadside in front of a nightclub in Tha Sala subdistrict, Mueang district, Chiang Mai province. Firearms and grenade-like explosives were used against each other before the groups scattered. Natthiphat then drove a pickup truck that struck 24-year-old Kanokrat Yostiwong, known as Nong Poppy, a nurse assistant at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, who was riding a motorcycle and passing by. She saw the incident while heading to work and, thinking someone was injured in an accident, tried to help but was hit, seriously injured, and later died. The event occurred around midnight on 1 Nov 2016.
After the incident, Mae Ping Police Station officers, Chiang Mai Provincial Police detectives, and Region 5 Provincial Police detectives investigated the scene, tracing CCTV footage along the route and at the location. They eventually arrested all perpetrators from both gangs, with some turning themselves in.
On 3 July 2016, a large group of friends of the suspect Natthiphat, who drove the truck that hit Nong Poppy, came to visit and support him at the detention room. Police had to ask them to wait outside Mae Ping Police Station before Natthiphat was taken for further questioning, fingerprinting, and was detained for court custody at Chiang Mai Provincial Court.
Reporters asked Natthiphat why he drove the pickup truck that struck Nong Poppy, if he admitted being the driver, if he wanted to say anything, how he felt, whether he regretted it, and if he had any message for the victim's family. Natthiphat remained silent and showed no reaction.
As Natthiphat was being led into the police transport vehicle, many friends in the gang shouted encouragement, saying the problem would be resolved soon, urging him to stay strong and handle the issue gradually. However, some friends waiting outside were later called in for questioning that afternoon and may also face charges.
Pol. Col. Yanaphon Patanachai, superintendent of Mae Ping Police Station, said today that police will take Natthiphat, the suspect who drove the truck that hit Nong Poppy, to Chiang Mai Provincial Court for custody after charging him with reckless driving causing death, hit and run, and criminal conspiracy.
Yesterday, charges of criminal conspiracy were filed against 20 members of the Bang Peak gang. Today, the Tai Yai youth gang linked to the suspect is scheduled for additional questioning and charges. Police are waiting for both sides to complete their interrogations before final charges are filed. Police have seized seven cars and five motorcycles involved as evidence for the case.
