Police charges against top cop’s Porsche driving son at the centre of fatal Bangkok car accident

[webfact]

Scenes from early on Saturday morning at the foot of King Taksin Bridge in Thonburi where the fatal accident occurred involving a silver Porsche Taycan car driven by 29-year-old Pornmet Songmetta which hit a Yamaha motorbike ridden by 40-year-old Pakistani Waseem Ahmad causing him severe head injuries from which he later succumbed at nearby Taksin Hospital. (Right) The father of the driver, Police General Wirachai Songmetta is one of Thailand’s most respected police officers and also one of the country’s wealthiest men.

 

by James Morris and Son Nguyen

 

29-year-old Mr Pornmet Songmetta reportedly works with the family firm Absolute Clean Energy, a Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) listed electricity distribution firm which operates 19 power plants in Thailand. His expensive Porsche Taycan Turbo suffered minor damage early on Saturday morning, near Taksin Bridge in Thonburi when it hit the Yamaha Fino motorbike of 40-year-old Waseem Ahmad leading to his death shortly afterwards at nearby Taksin Hospital in Bangkok.

 

Charges for reckless driving causing death are expected against 29-year-old Mr Pornmet Songmetta, a scion of the family of former Deputy National Police Chief Wirachai Songmetta one of the kingdom’s most well known and respected police officers who is also one of the richest men in the country.

 

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On Sunday morning in Bangkok, police with the Metropolitan Police Bureau confirmed that charges of reckless driving causing death are being prepared against the son of former Deputy National Police Chief Wirachai Songmetta. This follows a fatal traffic accident in Bangkok in the early hours of Saturday morning near the Taksin Bridge in the Thonburi district of the capital on the Chao Phraya river. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/03/13/charges-for-top-cop-porsche-driving-son/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-03-14

 

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[harada]

I’m sure that the Thai oligarch can afford a good lawyer for his brat.

[Maestro]

Removed a troll post.

[Hayduke]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

On Sunday morning in Bangkok, police with the Metropolitan Police Bureau confirmed that charges of reckless driving causing death are being prepared against the son of former Deputy National Police Chief Wirachai Songmetta.

 

Meetings will be held, deals will be made, the charges will go into assorted 'Do Nothing' files, and as soon as the heat's off the whole sordid mess will quietly......fade away. Just like it never happened.

 

 

 

Edited March 13, 2022 by Hayduke

[ezzra]

What's this i read? police are seriously charging a VIP, well connected high profile person? something is wrong there, wires cost crossed somewhere?...

[Shuggy]

He's gonna come down with a toothache that can only be dealt with by a specialist in another country. 

[Ralf001]

36 minutes ago, ezzra said:

What's this i read? police are seriously charging a VIP, well connected high profile person? something is wrong there, wires cost crossed somewhere?...

They charged Khun Boss with reckless driving causing death as well as that policeman who killed the doctor.

 

Means diddly squat.

[RJRS1301]

Why do they refer to him as "Top Cop? He is a former Deputy Chief ?

I wonder if his lawyers are considering suing the sub-editors for misreporting his occupation to attract headline? 

This represents blatant clickbait , and lacks journalistic integrity. 

[Card]

In any case, the victim is a farang, a Pakistani Muslim probably, so move along please. Nothing to see here.

[Dukeleto]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s most respected police officers and also one of the country’s wealthiest men.

And boy oh boy there are some incredibly wealthy people in Thailand. Can anyone give me an example of the same in the west where a “top cop” is one of the countries wealthiest men?

[RJRS1301]

1 minute ago, Dukeleto said:

And boy oh boy there are some incredibly wealthy people in Thailand. Can anyone give me an example of the same in the west where a “top cop” is one of the countries wealthiest men?

He is a "former" cop, he began a renewable power company and holds a PhD. in Public Administration.

 

Advance Asia Fiber Company Limited was founded by Police General Wirachai Songmetta(Ph.D.) and Mrs.Siriwan Damnernchanvanich Songmetta. AAF was established since November, 2010 with a registered capital of 1,200 million Baht (33 million USD). Our factory is located at Chok Chai, Nakorn Ratchasima, Thailand, and its annual production capacity is up to 90,000 cubic meters or 12 million sheets per year, which is currently the largest hardboard manufacturer in Thailand and South East Asia.

http://www.aaa-hardboard.com/about.php

Absolute Energy has 19 power stations

https://ace.listedcompany.com/misc/ar/20200528-ace-ar-2019-en.pdf

 

 

 

 

[ThailandRyan]

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

What's this i read? police are seriously charging a VIP, well connected high profile person? something is wrong there, wires cost crossed somewhere?...

A true case of hanging one out to dry to show they are doing the right thing.  Let's see how it ends however. My condolences to the deceased refugees family.

[Dukeleto]

I have to ask this question as the information in the article is lacking. Was the motorcycle driver wearing a helmet? I ask this as it seems relevant. Granted the driver of the car has admitted to making a sudden lane change causing the accident and high speed was reported. I am just wondering though if the motorcycle driver was not wearing a helmet as the law requires him to do so and the result of death was due to injuries to his head that may not have occurred with the use of a helmet does this transfer some of the blame to the victim for the resultant death in a case like this? Also would the type of helmet also play a role? Does a plastic bucket or bicycle helmet qualify? I have seen both! Anyone who has driven in Thailand knows that having an accident with a motorbike is a fairly likely occurrence every time you are on the road. Most of the time those drivers are not wearing helmets and rarely obey any rules of the road. Does anyone know?

[jacko45k]

It really is time that Hi-Sos and the wealthy were punished, rather than killing with impunity. I don't care how much money gets offered as compensation!

[Dukeleto]

15 minutes ago, RJRS1301 said:

He is a "former" cop, he began a renewable power company and holds a PhD. in Public Administration.

 

Advance Asia Fiber Company Limited was founded by Police General Wirachai Songmetta(Ph.D.) and Mrs.Siriwan Damnernchanvanich Songmetta. AAF was established since November, 2010 with a registered capital of 1,200 million Baht (33 million USD). Our factory is located at Chok Chai, Nakorn Ratchasima, Thailand, and its annual production capacity is up to 90,000 cubic meters or 12 million sheets per year, which is currently the largest hardboard manufacturer in Thailand and South East Asia.

http://www.aaa-hardboard.com/about.php

Absolute Energy has 19 power stations

https://ace.listedcompany.com/misc/ar/20200528-ace-ar-2019-en.pdf

 

 

 

 

Thanks yes I got that but can anyone give me an example of a “top cop” in the west who is one of their countries wealthiest men/woman?

[Andycoops]

Top cop means top in wealth as reported not top for any policing activity, accept the receipt of stuffed envelopes.

[4MyEgo]

2 minutes ago, Dukeleto said:

Granted the driver of the car has admitted to making a sudden lane change causing the accident and high speed was reported.

A helmet wouldn't have saved this rider if the Porsche was speeding, judging by the damage to the car, in particular the window, the impact was that of a solid high speed hit IMO.

 

I have been a big bike ride for 4 decades and know that a helmet will not save you, and it does, depending on the hit, your more likely to regret wearing the helmet because life after an accident could lead to much pain and immobilisation, that]s why I always used to say to myself (prior to retiring from riding), if I go down, make it quick as I don't want to get back up again.

 

Seen too many mates and others busted up and or dead.

[RichardColeman]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

former Deputy National Police Chief Wirachai Songmetta one of the kingdom’s most well known and respected police officers who is also one of the richest men in the country.

Wonder how many posh cars this one has racked up to ? One hundred , two ?

[Excel]

2 hours ago, harada said:

I’m sure that the Thai oligarch can afford a good lawyer for his brat.

Probably a Dubai based one at that

[pomchop]

11 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

A helmet wouldn't have saved this rider if the Porsche was speeding, judging by the damage to the car, in particular the window, the impact was that of a solid high speed hit IMO.

 

I have been a big bike ride for 4 decades and know that a helmet will not save you, and it does, depending on the hit, your more likely to regret wearing the helmet because life after an accident could lead to much pain and immobilisation, that]s why I always used to say to myself (prior to retiring from riding), if I go down, make it quick as I don't want to get back up again.

 

Seen too many mates and others busted up and or dead.

people who ride bikes without real helmets are DUMB

[4MyEgo]

12 minutes ago, pomchop said:

people who ride bikes without real helmets are DUMB

Fair statement, as equal to those who don't wear seat belts.

[Ralf001]

34 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

A helmet wouldn't have saved this rider if the Porsche was speeding, judging by the damage to the car, in particular the window, the impact was that of a solid high speed hit IMO.

 

 

That windscreen is 3 to 4mm thick.

That kind of damage could also occur a relatively low speed given the size and weigh of a grown man that impacted it.

[andyman57]

All they keep repeating is ex police chief very rich.its not about him his son has taken a life and needs to be punished by law

[RJRS1301]

13 minutes ago, andyman57 said:

All they keep repeating is ex police chief very rich.its not about him his son has taken a life and needs to be punished by law

Perhaps needs to be judged by the courts, then punishment imposed by the courts carrying out the law?

[ThailandRyan]

56 minutes ago, Dukeleto said:

I have to ask this question as the information in the article is lacking. Was the motorcycle driver wearing a helmet? I ask this as it seems relevant. Granted the driver of the car has admitted to making a sudden lane change causing the accident and high speed was reported. I am just wondering though if the motorcycle driver was not wearing a helmet as the law requires him to do so and the result of death was due to injuries to his head that may not have occurred with the use of a helmet does this transfer some of the blame to the victim for the resultant death in a case like this? Also would the type of helmet also play a role? Does a plastic bucket or bicycle helmet qualify? I have seen both! Anyone who has driven in Thailand knows that having an accident with a motorbike is a fairly likely occurrence every time you are on the road. Most of the time those drivers are not wearing helmets and rarely obey any rules of the road. Does anyone know?

Take a look at the windscreen of the Porsche and you can decide for yourself.  A helmet might save ones head from being crushed or broken but it will not keep the internal head injuries from occurring at such an impact.  I am sure the man had other serious injuries as well, but a helmet is called a brain bucket for a reason.  In my 30+ years in law enforcement investigating major injury accidents involving motorcycles I can tell you that very few survived without serious traumatic brain injuries and many died from the initial injury.  It would take a very skilled neurosurgeon to repair someone's damaged brain.  

[ThailandRyan]

19 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

That windscreen is 3 to 4mm thick.

That kind of damage could also occur a relatively low speed given the size and weigh of a grown man that impacted it.

Kinematics would say differently and with the damage to both vehicles a speed can be obtained, as well as downloading the Porsches black box which will indicate a speed at the time of impact as well.

[tandor]

..i just fail to see what the relevance is by mentioning every time, the occupation of the driver's father. If his father was a renderer or noodle seller he wouldn't get a mention...same as the woman who was run over using the pedestrian crossing, if she had have been an everyday citizen, i doubt if there would be any newsworthy story.

[ThailandRyan]

Just now, tandor said:

..i just fail to see what the relevance is by mentioning every time, the occupation of the driver's father. If his father was a renderer or noodle seller he wouldn't get a mention...same as the woman who was run over using the pedestrian crossing, if she had have been an everyday citizen, i doubt if there would be any newsworthy story.

It is always the status of ones parents that are bandied about regardless. It is viewed by many including myself to indicate that the man will be able to have the best defense and then be let go scot-free after paying money to the mans family, just think OJ Simpson...... 

[Ralf001]

4 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Kinematics would say differently and with the damage to both vehicles a speed can be obtained, as well as downloading the Porsches black box which will indicate a speed at the time of impact as well.

Please upload your kinematics study.

[tandor]

23 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

That windscreen is 3 to 4mm thick.

That kind of damage could also occur a relatively low speed given the size and weigh of a grown man that impacted it.

it is a low angled screen which would cause the object to glance off easier at low speed; but being laminated and more absorbent to penetration just shows how hard this rider was hit..IMHO.