Man Rams Benz Into Bus Passengers, Killing One

[Payboy]

Do the courts accept "I was angry" as a defence argument?

no, but "i am rich and well connected" is definitely worth considering....

[pansted00]

A degenerate offspring .

Inbreeding is starting to take its toll on the Thai-Chin.

[A_Traveller]

OK I could be wrong here, not unknown, but I was under the impression that as part of the application process for a Thai driving licence, one must submit

• A doctor's certificate stating that the applicant is in good health, both physically and mentally (standard forms are available from most clinics and should not be more than 30 days old)
  

Since one must show that the applicant is

• Being of sound mind and good health (not having physical or mental handicap(s) that will prevent them from operating a vehicle safely) - being at least 18 years of age
  

Oh sorry forgot wealthy connected family in Thailand. Condolences to the deceased and speedy recovery to the injured.

Regards

[TAWP]

going purely by their driving style , i'd say at least half the drivers in bangkok have one kind of mental disorder or the other!

Couldn't agree more.

And 99% if not 100 of those coming to live in Thailand have too.

Don't hide your racial bigotry, tell us how you really feel...

[November Rain]

I don't think that volunteer was the Colonel. I think it was the other rescue volunteer who posts on here - Marko something. Sorry, can't remember. I saw an article once about him in the BKK Post & I think it's him from the photo.

[baabaabobo]

Victim's Family receives no contact from the wealthy Pachimsawas

The Pachimsawas Family has yet to contact the daughter of a woman killed by their son.

Kanpitak Pachimsawas, 20, swerved his Benz sedan into a crowd of people on footpath on Wednesday's night, critically injuring three people. One of them, Saichon Luangsaeng, died on Thursday.

Saichon's daughter Sucheera Insunawan, 25, Friday said the wealthy Pachimsawas Family did not contact her since the incident took place. Saichon's cremation will be held on Sunday.

Saichon was a single mother.

She has worked hard to support her family. Sucheera, a fresh graduate, said she was so disoriented and did not know what to do now.

The Nation

[November Rain]

Apply the same excuse and alcoholics should not be convicted if they commit crimes (eg. drink driving) because they are suffering an illness.

The line has to be drawn somewhere. Either try him for murder or commit him to a mental institution until medical science can prove he is no longer a danger to society...which I expect will be never.

Of course lines have to be drawn. But how are we going to know where to draw if we do not try to understand what human beings are? If we don't try to learn about human behaviour? If we don't stick to reality? If we simply think we are better than those who had made mistakes and we will never have done the same? If we simply want to lynch someone to fulfill our animal desire?

Funny, my mom used to tell me how the dogs think this and that. And she also wonders how people will know what she is doing when she is alone in her house.

Sorry about your Mum, meemiathai. That must have been hard for you & your family, but also for her. I've a little experience with mental illness through nursing & while I don't pretend to understand how it feels, I have seen some of the effects.

Most people (if I'm reading this right) aren't saying to lynch him. Most (including me) are saying lock him away from society. I still feel this way, after having read all the arguments till now. He has proved he is a danger to society, he needs to be kept away from it, IMO. If he can get treatment at the same time, great. I still don't think he should have been driving, either, but that's something that can't be changed now.

He should not (but probably will) walk away from this because of his connections. That helps no-one, least of all himself if he is truly mentally ill & not just an "angry young man". I'm afraid that my sympathies are firmly with those injured & dead bus passengers. To me, they are the innocents here. Not him, not his doctors & especially not his parents, who, if he really is that sick, should have protected both him & society better.

[ratcatcher]

An example of Thai justice?

The Appeal Court sentences Pornphan Rattanametanon, a former popular singer, to 33 years and five months in jail for possessing amphetamines on Friday. The ruling increased the jail term as the Criminal court sentenced her to only eight years.

33 years for a few pills - yes OK maybe dangerous drugs? But 33 years?

On the other hand:

The only cell this piece of crap will see the inside of is a monk's cell at some Wat. I hope someone puts out a contract on him.

My condolences to the dead lady,her family and all the injured passengers.

[meemiathai]

Apply the same excuse and alcoholics should not be convicted if they commit crimes (eg. drink driving) because they are suffering an illness.

The line has to be drawn somewhere. Either try him for murder or commit him to a mental institution until medical science can prove he is no longer a danger to society...which I expect will be never.

Of course lines have to be drawn. But how are we going to know where to draw if we do not try to understand what human beings are? If we don't try to learn about human behaviour? If we don't stick to reality? If we simply think we are better than those who had made mistakes and we will never have done the same? If we simply want to lynch someone to fulfill our animal desire?

Funny, my mom used to tell me how the dogs think this and that. And she also wonders how people will know what she is doing when she is alone in her house.

Sorry about your Mum, meemiathai. That must have been hard for you & your family, but also for her. I've a little experience with mental illness through nursing & while I don't pretend to understand how it feels, I have seen some of the effects.

Most people (if I'm reading this right) aren't saying to lynch him. Most (including me) are saying lock him away from society. I still feel this way, after having read all the arguments till now. He has proved he is a danger to society, he needs to be kept away from it, IMO. If he can get treatment at the same time, great. I still don't think he should have been driving, either, but that's something that can't be changed now.

He should not (but probably will) walk away from this because of his connections. That helps no-one, least of all himself if he is truly mentally ill & not just an "angry young man". I'm afraid that my sympathies are firmly with those injured & dead bus passengers. To me, they are the innocents here. Not him, not his doctors & especially not his parents, who, if he really is that sick, should have protected both him & society better.

I am fine,NR. Thanks. Although it was difficult for me, yes just me, my whole family is just she and me, it did gave me very good training. It had trained me to become more observant of human behaviour. It had trained me to become more sensitive to other peoples' feelings and thinking.

The difficulty sometimes is I have to wonder if it is her problem or mine when we argue about something. The problem also is it is not like some other disease like you can do a check and get the results. You just cannot confirm that if the person have it or not.

Anyway, I perhaps agree with what you've said, putting him away from the society if he really is a danger.

There are really no perfect ways to run a society. I have no idea how it should be dealt with. Can you really trust a psyciatrist in thailand to prove his sanity? Especially when he has a powerful background.

One thing I am sure though, I hate unfairness as much as anyone else here I guess. But I don't think hatred would bring us anywhere.

[richard10365]

Jail for the rest of his life seems appropriate.

[highdiver]

somew of our jusstice seeking memebers need a quick lesson in growing up.

there is no justice and there is no law. not in thailand and no where else in the world.

those of you seeking true justice may seek it in the next life... in this world of laws and lawyers you get what you pay for just as anything else.

get a good lawyer and you are fo the hook. have enough money and it is settled out of hr court... why ??? because thats life.

if you are rich famous and well conected in any country you will be let off the hook. why?? because thats life...

The only resolution is civil law suite. where the rules are different. and even there the lawyer or insurence company will proove that the life lost is not that much in terms of future earnings and so forth.

so at the end of the day the family will get compenstaed a million baht or less.

It realy sucks but its no different from any where else in the world.

[Mid]

Road Traffic Accidents Increase Dramatically Worldwide

by Heidi Worley

Developing countries bear a large share of the burden, accounting for 85 percent of annual deaths and 90 percent of the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost because of road traffic injury.3 And since road traffic injuries affect mainly males (73 percent of deaths) and those between 15 and 44 years old, this burden is creating enormous economic hardship due to the loss of family breadwinners (see Figure 1).

Population Reference Bureau.

[Heng]

An example of Thai justice?

The Appeal Court sentences Pornphan Rattanametanon, a former popular singer, to 33 years and five months in jail for possessing amphetamines on Friday. The ruling increased the jail term as the Criminal court sentenced her to only eight years.

33 years for a few pills - yes OK maybe dangerous drugs? But 33 years?

Actually her and her boyfriend were fairly well known "small time" dealers on the RCA scene and in certain private party circles. It wasn't just possession. Couldn't afford to live well any more, didn't save any of her income while she was still selling albums, couldn't adjust to going back to a normal lifestyle, etc.

And if you're dealing meth and x, you're dealing death to tens and likely hundreds of folks somewhere down the line. Hardly compares to a case of road rage.

[Heng]

those of you seeking true justice may seek it in the next life... in this world of laws and lawyers you get what you pay for just as anything else.

get a good lawyer and you are fo the hook. have enough money and it is settled out of hr court... why ??? because thats life.

if you are rich famous and well conected in any country you will be let off the hook. why?? because thats life...

It realy sucks but its no different from any where else in the world.

Excellent summary. And from another point of view, it's actually all relative and fair. There's almost always a bigger fish.

[Netfan]

No being an alcoholic is not the same! An alcoholic still knows what they are doing, they know what is right or wrong. Somebody who has a mental illness can be so detached from reality (im not saying its the case here) they think dogs speak and have no idea about normal human behavior, including what is right, what is wrong, even what they are doing at that very moment in time. Is it really that hard to understand? I think you would rather ignore it so you can carry on being part of a lynch mob to be honest.

Wow- that's exactly what "Son of Sam"- David Berkowitz said- he murdered 6 people in new york in the 70's. His defense was the neighbors dog told him to do it. I guess we should let him out? Apoligize for keeping him wrongfully locked up all these years? If this guy was responsible enough to drive a car, he should be responsible enough to pay the price for committing this crime- and not with money or a month in a temple. He needs to be removed from society until some competent psychiatrists decide he is ready to stand trial - then serve his time. These spoiled rich brats will continue to take out their frustrations at not being waied to enough or their foot stepped on until a few actually spend some time behind bars.

[qualtrough]

My wife was telling me today that the father of the Benz driver referred to the bus conductor woman as having no education and being low class and lying about his son't actions. He also made a veiled threat to the bus driver, referring to his head wound as being pretty small, but might be worse if he presses charges, or something to that effect. I didn't hear that myself so it might just be rumor. I did see the bus driver being interviewed when I passed by the TV. Very sad, particularly since he won't ever see the inside of a jail cell.

[madjbs]

If they are mentally ill and a danger to society obviously they still need to be locked up to prevent future incidents, what I am trying to say is if you send him to prison for 30 years then its not going to help anyone, hes still going to be crazy and most likely still a danger when he leaves. I agree he should be put in a mental institute and if they can get him fit to stand trial then he should, but of course his circumstances at the time should be taken into account as well. I think this would be common practice in most countries.

Jake

[larvidchr]

Yiahaaaa, yes lets imprison or kill the mentally ill, let the ones responsible for the way society handle the mentally ill go free. ( and yes lets at the same time make sure all future babies have blue eyes and blond hair)

Judging from a few of the lynch mob comments here, it is safe to say , that there is quite a few posters here, that can be pretty sure they will go same way if they are ever found out, take cover guys the hangman for the mentally ill might be waiting round the corner just for you

Edited July 6, 2007 by larvidchr

[A_Traveller]

If this individual has a mental health condition what the Samuel Jackson is he doing driving a car!

As I posted earlier and hereby repeat, I was under the impression that as part of the application process for a Thai driving licence, the applicant must submit

* A doctor's certificate stating that the applicant is in good health, both physically and mentally (standard forms are available from most clinics and should not be more than 30 days old)

Since one must show that the applicant is

* Being of sound mind and good health (not having physical or mental handicap(s) that will prevent them from operating a vehicle safely) - being at least 18 years of age

Condolences to the deceased family, and speedy recovery to the injured.

Regards

[teejay]

Poor parenting. A 20 year old should not be driving an expensive car, maybe not any car.

The parents should also have long prison sentences... put the mother in the beauty queen wing of the prison, let her rot there.

<deleted>?

[A_Traveller]

Poor parenting. A 20 year old should not be driving an expensive car, maybe not any car.

The parents should also have long prison sentences... put the mother in the beauty queen wing of the prison, let her rot there.

<deleted>?

It's a WeHo {West Hollywood} moment.

Regards

[sriracha john]

Former Miss Thailand Sawinee Pachimsawas, mother of Kanpitak, apologised to the relatives of her son's victim.

The Nation

Edited July 6, 2007 by sriracha john

[chuchok]

An example of Thai justice?

The Appeal Court sentences Pornphan Rattanametanon, a former popular singer, to 33 years and five months in jail for possessing amphetamines on Friday. The ruling increased the jail term as the Criminal court sentenced her to only eight years.

33 years for a few pills - yes OK maybe dangerous drugs? But 33 years?

On the other hand:

The only cell this piece of crap will see the inside of is a monk's cell at some Wat. I hope someone puts out a contract on him.

My condolences to the dead lady,her family and all the injured passengers.

couldn't agree more.I do like this country,but when $hite like this happens I am reminded what a thrird world banana republic it really is.It's a pity that the POS is not locked in a room with the victims family.Disgusting.

[Netfan]

If this individual has a mental health condition what the Samuel Jackson is he doing driving a car!

As I posted earlier and hereby repeat, I was under the impression that as part of the application process for a Thai driving licence, the applicant must submit

* A doctor's certificate stating that the applicant is in good health, both physically and mentally (standard forms are available from most clinics and should not be more than 30 days old)

Since one must show that the applicant is

* Being of sound mind and good health (not having physical or mental handicap(s) that will prevent them from operating a vehicle safely) - being at least 18 years of age

Condolences to the deceased family, and speedy recovery to the injured.

Regards

Good point! Don't tell me--- the poor boy had enough presence of mind to lie to the doctor when he got his form signed!!! Do the parents have drivers licences? if so, then they know this form has to be signed and they knew their precious son was driving around and could snap at any moment. So they buy him a Benz. Makes it all the sadder to know he and the parents will walk away.

[Netfan]

Yiahaaaa, yes lets imprison or kill the mentally ill, let the ones responsible for the way society handle the mentally ill go free. ( and yes lets at the same time make sure all future babies have blue eyes and blond hair)

Judging from a few of the lynch mob comments here, it is safe to say , that there is quite a few posters here, that can be pretty sure they will go same way if they are ever found out, take cover guys the hangman for the mentally ill might be waiting round the corner just for you

Well, if i ever drive a car into a crowd of people because the bus they were riding in came too close to my car, i think "they" would be completely justified in locking me up. No one here has said the kid should be locked up for being different or strange or manic depressive or bi-polar or delusional or whatever he may be. He drove his Mercedes Benz that his parents bought for him into a crowd of innocent people. I'm sorry, I'm stilll having trouble understanding what lets him off legally and morally for doing that.

Edited July 6, 2007 by Netfan

[steffi]

yes I would want to correlate his phone records with the time he was picked up to see if he'd contacted anybody to give him advice or instructions.

I thought his hand movements with clasped fingers while sitting in the car and lying on a stretcher was top notch ACTING.

Edited July 6, 2007 by steffi

[steffi]

An example of Thai justice?

The Appeal Court sentences Pornphan Rattanametanon, a former popular singer, to 33 years and five months in jail for possessing amphetamines on Friday. The ruling increased the jail term as the Criminal court sentenced her to only eight years.

Is that the Triumphs Kingdom girl?

She did possess more than a users share of the pills.

[Artnduen]

The father of the killer knows he is at fault. and call the victim" Low class and no education." It seems to me that there is an army of Hitler orientated individuals who regard anyone who does not fit the credentials of the clique that he belongs not to be worthy of the gift of life and is most likely to be proud of his murderous son's actions.

No doubt Khamma will eventually catch up with these people as it did with the Nazis and only then can these poor victims feel safe. ( My wife says "guan teen")

[geriatrickid]

Wow, I am impressed. I didn't know that there were so many qualified expat psychiatrists living in Thailand, and they're all members of TV. I am in awe of their ability to render a diagnosis based upon a couple of newspaper articles.

My friends have to rely on clinical evidence before they comment on organic illnesses. I wish they could be like these experts. No need for a biopsy, just look at a picture and know if there was a metastasizing tumour, Man that would be totally excellent. Where did some of these experts obtain their medical training? I want to recommend the school to a couple of my friends.

[TAWP]

Wow, I am impressed. I didn't know that there were so many qualified expat psychiatrists living in Thailand, and they're all members of TV. I am in awe of their ability to render a diagnosis based upon a couple of newspaper articles.

This might come as a shock to you, but you don't need a license to have opinions. You only need a license to do proper medical diagnoses.

With your logic there should be a license to vote.