Drunk Porsche Driver Offers B200,000 Settlement, Victim’s Father Questions Charges

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

Chiang Mai – A family is demanding justice after a young man was severely injured by a drunk Porsche driver who offered B200,000 to settle the case. The victim's father believes the charges laid against the driver are too lenient, raising concerns over police handling of the incident and their refusal to consider attempted murder charges.

 

The accident occurred in the early hours of 24 July 2024 at the Fa Thani intersection in Chiang Mai. Mr. Irfan Musa, a 22-year-old fourth-year university student, was stopped at a red light on his motorcycle with his friend, Ms. Aom, also 22, when a speeding Porsche ran the light and hit them without braking.

 

CCTV footage from the scene captured the chilling moment as the Porsche crashed into the stationary motorcycle. Mr. Musa was thrown to the ground while Ms. Aom was dragged by the car for more than 10 metres before being flung onto the pavement.

 

Shockingly, the driver, who was visibly intoxicated, did not immediately help the injured pair. Instead, he reversed the car, running over Mr. Musa a second time before pulling over to the side of the road.

 

Bystanders quickly called emergency services and restrained the driver, fearing he might attempt to flee the scene. Witnesses described the driver as a young man who was "stumbling and clearly drunk."

Both victims sustained serious injuries. Mr. Musa suffered a ruptured liver, a fractured skull, and a broken pelvis, while Ms. Aom was critically injured. Mr. Musa required two hospital stays and ongoing physiotherapy, and his family had to temporarily close their business to care for him.

 

The Porsche driver was arrested and charged with reckless driving causing injury and drunk driving. However, Mr. Musa’s father, Mr. Suding Musa, believes these charges are inadequate given the severity of the crash and the driver’s reckless actions.

 

"From the footage, it’s clear that the driver didn’t just hit my son—he ran over him again when reversing. We are asking for an additional charge of attempted murder, but the police have refused, saying it doesn’t meet the criteria."

 

Despite the serious injuries sustained, the driver’s lawyer recently proposed a settlement of B200,000 for each victim, insisting this was all the driver could afford. The lawyer suggested that if the family did not accept the offer, they would fight the case in court and were prepared for the driver to face prison time.

 

Mr. Suding, however, refuses to accept the settlement, stating that it is insufficient compensation for the pain and suffering his son has endured. "We don’t want money—we want justice. My son’s dreams have been shattered. He wanted to become a physiotherapist, but now he can barely walk. How is B200,000 supposed to make up for that?"

 

Mr. Musa himself has spoken out, sharing how the accident has left him physically and emotionally scarred. "I’ve lost the ability to move the way I used to. I was passionate about sports and physical therapy, but now I can’t even walk properly.

 

It’s hard to accept that my future has changed because of someone’s reckless behaviour. If this had happened to someone in the driver’s family, would they settle for this?"

 

The case has drawn public attention, with many questioning the leniency of the charges and the handling of the investigation. Mr. Musa’s family has called for a full inquiry into the Porsche driver’s actions and the police’s decision not to press more serious charges.

 

In the meantime, Mr. Musa continues to undergo physiotherapy, although his recovery has been slow. His family remains determined to pursue the case in court, rejecting the settlement offer and seeking harsher penalties for the driver.

 

"We will not rest until justice is served," Mr. Suding said. "My son’s life will never be the same, and we cannot accept that the driver gets off so easily."

 

Chiang Mai police have stated that they are continuing their investigation but have not yet added any further charges, reported Thai Rath.

 

-- 2024-10-21

 

 

[mdr224]

Looks like the police got paid off. With alot more than 200k most likely

[MartinL]

No idea of Porsche repair costs but I bet the damage to the front of the car, assuming that's the actual vehicle involved, would cost far more than the miserly amount offered to the victims of this 'accident'. 

 

It's good to see Thai people fighting back against the insulting and totally inadequate amounts of compensation offered in incidents like this. Hope the families of the victims are successful in their attempts to take this further than the police seem willing to do. There must be some higher authority than the local police force who can override their decision not to pursue further, more serious, charges.

[Banana7]

Confiscate the car. Also there is government insurance and probably private insurance. Compensation should be 10 times more than what was offered.

 

I am amazed the cops did not lay the obvious charge of 'failing to stop for a red light'.

 

[Tropicalevo]

Sorry Mr Suding, but it is still not attempted murder.

The fact that the driver, in his inebriated state, did not see the victim when he was reversing, does not show intent.

Very sad for the two innocent victims.

Definitely needs more than 200 grand.

[JoePai]

12 minutes ago, Banana7 said:

Confiscate the car. Also there is government insurance and probably private insurance. Compensation should be 10 times more than what was offered.

 

I am amazed the cops did not lay the obvious charge of 'failing to stop for a red light'.

 

The Government Insurance is basically worthless and for a 25 year old car he would only have voluntary 3rd class at best

[BangkokReady]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Despite the serious injuries sustained, the driver’s lawyer recently proposed a settlement of B200,000 for each victim, insisting this was all the driver could afford. The lawyer suggested that if the family did not accept the offer, they would fight the case in court and were prepared for the driver to face prison time.

 

I'm not sure of the Thai law, but I think that in the West the guy would be charged for the criminal offence, and the victims could also sue him for damages.  Is that not possible in Thailand?

[Tropicalevo]

24 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

 

I'm not sure of the Thai law, but I think that in the West the guy would be charged for the criminal offence, and the victims could also sue him for damages.  Is that not possible in Thailand?

Both are possible.

The offence would be the Thai version of 'vehicular homicide'. (I cannot remember the Thai name.)

Yes, the victim can sue for damages.

Lawyers tend to drag things out (more money for them) and the trial could take a while.

[ikke1959]

I am always wondering why the RTP is involved in the offer of sum for damages.. It should be done by  court and an official judge... All this mutual trying to solve problems will only good for corruption and keep the culprit out of jail

[BangkokReady]

3 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

I am always wondering why the RTP is involved in the offer of sum for damages.. It should be done by  court and an official judge... All this mutual trying to solve problems will only good for corruption and keep the culprit out of jail

 

It sounds like you've answered your own question at the end there.

[smedly]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

A family is demanding justice after a young man was severely injured by a drunk Porsche driver who offered B200,000 to settle the case

jail this ###hole, sure pay compensation  1m baht (at least) then lock the ### up for at least 10 years

[smedly]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Mr. Musa’s family has called for a full inquiry into the Porsche driver’s actions and the police’s decision not to press more serious charges.

guess who got a bigger payoff than the victim

 

jail the ###, this country really bothers me, makes me angry

[watchcat]

2 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Very sad for the two innocent victims.

Definitely needs more than 200 grand.

 

I'd say 1 milljon each and a new motorbike!

[smedly]

1 hour ago, BangkokReady said:

 

I'm not sure of the Thai law, but I think that in the West the guy would be charged for the criminal offence, and the victims could also sue him for damages.  Is that not possible in Thailand?

in the west he would be charged regardless of what money was offered

[giddyup]

The driver supposedly has no money yet his lawyer say he will fight the case in court. Obviously his lawyer is acting pro bono.

[Jonathan Swift]

3 hours ago, MartinL said:

No idea of Porsche repair costs but I bet the damage to the front of the car, assuming that's the actual vehicle involved, would cost far more than the miserly amount offered to the victims of this 'accident'. 

 

It's good to see Thai people fighting back against the insulting and totally inadequate amounts of compensation offered in incidents like this. Hope the families of the victims are successful in their attempts to take this further than the police seem willing to do. There must be some higher authority than the local police force who can override their decision not to pursue further, more serious, charges.

The courts would be that higher authority. This would require a lawyer, but probably the right move. 

[spidermike007]

First of all there's no reason to call out the victims by name, and not call out the perpetrator by name. That is just blatantly unfair and ridiculous. Second this guy should be paying 10 times the amount of money that he's offering and he should be facing some jail time, confiscation of his car and significant penalties and punishment. However, he appears to be wealthy so we know that he's more or less above the law, and the police have become partners in the perpetration of the crime. Just another blight on the shameful RTP. 

[khunpin]

Wouldn't surprise me if victim's families will suffer from any deadly "accidents" in the near future ... 🤷🏼‍♂️

[kiwikeith]

3 hours ago, mdr224 said:

Looks like the police got paid off. With alot more than 200k most likely

A pittance , all I can afford, chicken feed , attempted murder drunk driving look him up and fine him to repatriate the victims 2 mill would be cheap.

[itsari]

I agree with martinL , good that one of the parents is refusing to accept 200,000 baht for this life changing injuries caused by a man intoxicated and breaking the road laws and don't forget the driver of the car run over him for a second attempt at murder.

As for the police not making the charges more serious at the request of the parent can only mean one thing and that's corruption.

[Iron Tongue]

3 hours ago, Banana7 said:

Confiscate the car. Also there is government insurance and probably private insurance. Compensation should be 10 times more than what was offered.

 

I am amazed the cops did not lay the obvious charge of 'failing to stop for a red light'.

 

10 times the offer still wouldn't be enough.  This student (no idea the injuries to the girl) has had life-changing injuries which will likely require a lifetime of care & therapy for his skeletal damage and unknown future problems from his fractured skull and damaged liver.  In all likelihood, he won't ever be able to be a physical therapist and may become a burden to his parents for the rest of their lives and longer.

His compensation should cover current medical care, future medical care & therapies, compensation for inability to work, reimbursement for 4-years of wasted college, AND then penalties due to the drunken driver.

200,000 baht is ~ US$6K.  As pointed-out, the plastic fender cover on the Porsche would cost more than that.  For a Thai college-educated lifetime income + medical expenses, at least baht 10-15 million.

I wonder if the police would be more helpful if they were offered a share of the settlement.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Chiang Mai – A family is demanding justice after a young man was severely injured by a drunk Porsche driver who offered B200,000 to settle the case. The victim's father believes the charges laid against the driver are too lenient, raising concerns over police handling of the incident and their refusal to consider attempted murder charges.

Everything that's wrong with Thailand... money solves everything.

[kwaussie]

Has readers forgot Ms. Aom also seriously injured and offered 200,000, he wont get insurance for wrecked Porsche so he is going to be paying for a long time, lets hope compensation is increased and he loses licence for a very long time.

[Cat Boy]

Perhaps there should be an excise tax, payable annually with registration fees, to provide medical assistance and life insurance for victims of drivers of high-end luxury and so-called Super-cars, since they almost universally seem to be both terrible driver's and oft times infirmed by drugs and drink

[Sydebolle]

Book him for attempted murder. Driving intoxicated is done voluntarily, fleeing the scene is very Thai. 

Name the culprit with pictures, impound the vehicle and auction it off for spare parts = revenue for some charitable causes. Work out the salary the hurt fellow would have earned as physiotherapist until he would be 60 years old, add 25% for inflation and blacklist him for a driving license for life. 

The laws are here but the implementation .......... a Porsche might call some always welcome brown manilla envelopes nicely stuffed with the papers of silver-gray colour ...........

[malibukid]

peanuts. 

[sambum]

".............Ms. Aom was critically injured........"

 

Not a further word in the report about this lady - why?

(And I know the report is about the severely injured young man!)

[Will B Good]

 

 

 

No way should this method of the rich paying to get out of criminal charges continue.....it is a total abomination.

 

I'm rich, I can do (almost) what the hell I like and then throw money at any problems that arise.....if you were trying encapsulate what is wrong with Thailand...it is this.

[bkkbarnstormer]

Require the sale of the Porsche and give the proceeds to the injured?

 

presumably the driver doesn’t own it? Or it has large outstanding loan on it?

 

but most people driving a Porsche in Thailand will have access to more than 200k THB 🙄

[outsidetrader]

4 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Sorry Mr Suding, but it is still not attempted murder.

The fact that the driver, in his inebriated state, did not see the victim when he was reversing, does not show intent.

Very sad for the two innocent victims.

Definitely needs more than 200 grand.

Plus the fact the insureance we pay for is to mop up the mess otherwise it's pointless having it in the first place ..The Porshe no doubt will be fully insured plus the government insureance will have large figures on the polices in case of accident ....The Insurears are the ones the injured parties should be dealing with .

Ok.the driver may have been over the limit but that's a different case if the police want to push it ...what ever it is still an accident and it's the insureance company's job to sort out the compensation etc etc