Lampang, Thailand – A grieving mother is demanding justice after her 22-year-old son, Phatthakon Khruea-meu, died in a tragic incident involving a police vehicle. The young man, who was attempting to flee a police drunk-driving checkpoint on a motorcycle, was struck by a Lampang City Police Station patrol truck, causing him to crash into an electric pole. His passenger, a 22-year-old man, was injured in the accident.
Fatal Incident Raises Questions Over Police Tactics
The crash occurred at approximately 3:00 AM on February 22, 2025, on Duangrat Road, near Rung Rueang Furniture in the Suan Dok Subdistrict, Muang District, Lampang Province.
Authorities arrived at the scene to find the deceased rider lying near the electric pole, with no identification documents on him. His grey Yamaha Grand Filano motorcycle, which had no license plate, was found damaged and lying on its side about six meters away. Nearby, a police pickup truck was stationed in the middle of the road, with visible damage to its left rear bumper, where parts of the motorcycle were lodged.
CCTV Footage Contradicts Initial Police Reports
Initial police reports suggested that the motorcycle lost control while fleeing against traffic and crashed into the back of the police truck. However, CCTV footage from the scene tells a different story.
- At 2:50:55 AM, a motorcycle is seen approaching the area.
- At 2:51:10 AM, a police pickup truck, with its lights on, is seen moving to block the road.
- At 2:51:18 AM, the motorcycle tries to maneuver past the truck, but the police vehicle reverses, colliding with the motorcycle. The impact throws the rider from his bike, causing him to crash into the pole.
The disturbing footage has sparked serious concerns over the police officers’ actions, leading many to question whether the use of force was excessive.
Grieving Mother Demands Answers
At 4:00 PM, reporters visited the victim’s home in Tambon Sadet, Muang District, Lampang Province, where funeral rites for Phatthakon were being held. His mother, Mrs. Suphat Khruea-meu, 41, expressed her heartbreak and outrage over the incident.
“My son was a good person,” she said. “He was studying in his final year of a vocational certificate program and was set to graduate soon. He always took care of his bedridden grandmother. Before the accident, he told me he was going to a friend’s house. The next thing I knew, he was dead.”
Mrs. Suphat initially believed her son’s death was a routine traffic accident, but after seeing the CCTV footage, she was shocked and outraged.
“I couldn’t believe the police would do something like this. The footage shows them blocking the road and then reversing into my son. There should have been better tactics. My son didn’t kill anyone, and now I will fight to the end for justice.”
Survivor Speaks Out: “It Was Like a Blackout”
The injured passenger, Mr. Natthaphong, 22, who has since been discharged from the hospital, also confirmed the disturbing chain of events.
“That night, we had been drinking at a friend’s house. When we saw the checkpoint, we panicked and turned around,” he recalled. “But when we got closer to the police truck, they drove to block us, so my friend swerved. Then, they reversed the car again, and we crashed.”
Natthaphong described regaining consciousness to find his friend lying in a pool of blood while officers stood nearby, discussing the fact that he wasn’t breathing.
“I feel terrible for my friend. Did the police use too much force? I want them to take responsibility.”
Investigation Underway Amid Public Outrage
The real cause of Phatthakon’s death is still under investigation, but the evidence so far has sparked intense debate. Many question whether the police’s actions were justified, arguing that a simple attempt to evade a checkpoint should not have resulted in a fatal collision.
As calls for accountability grow, Phatthakon’s family and supporters vow to push for justice and ensure that similar tragedies do not happen again.
