Drunk Police Officer Transferred After Crash Injures Woman in Chachoengsao
CHACHOENGSAO — A police officer who struck a woman with a patrol vehicle while driving under the influence has been transferred to an inactive post, as legal proceedings move forward.
The incident occurred around 8:30pm on Monday in Thung Phraya, Sanam Chai Khet district. Surveillance footage captured the moment Surinipha, 48, was preparing to drive off on her motorcycle with a sidecar when she was hit and dragged by a speeding police pickup truck.
The driver, Pol Capt Saksit Chimanonwit, 52, of Wang Khu police station, was found to be intoxicated, with a blood alcohol level of 0.079%, exceeding Thailand’s legal limit for experienced drivers.
Ms Surinipha suffered a head injury and a broken right arm and is expected to remain in Buddhasothorn Hospital for several days. On Wednesday, Pol Maj Kriengkrai Boonson, provincial police commander, confirmed that Capt Saksit had been reassigned to an inactive role while a disciplinary panel investigates the case.
Capt Saksit has since apologised to the victim in person and gave her 20,000 baht as an initial gesture of compensation, promising further support after her hospital release.
Despite his apology, the case sparked public backlash online, with many users expressing anger at what they see as a betrayal of public trust. “Police should protect people, but he himself lacked driving discipline,” read one widely shared comment.
Criminal charges of drink-driving and reckless driving causing injury have been filed, and authorities assured that legal proceedings will follow in accordance with the law.
