Dead boy's family in Phuket 'mob' against Russians

[webfact]

Dead boy's family in Phuket 'mob' against Russians
Anthika Muangrod


Region 8 Police Volunteers posted a photograph of ‘Larisa’ and Valentin’ on their Facebook page, asking for information on the couple.

PHUKET: -- A large group of Thais gathered outside the Villa Market in Chalong yesterday (April 9) to protest over the death of 16-year-old Thananbavorn “Lotus” Durongpan, who was killed just after 1am on Saturday (April 5) when he was hit by a car as he rode his motorbike along Patak Rd from Chalong Circle.

The incident has sparked anger at the Russian woman driving the car, at her friends and, by extension, Russians in general.

The Phuket News’ Russian-language sister paper Novosti Phuketa contacted Russian police volunteers who reported that the driver, known only as Larisa, allegedly made a U-turn on Patak Rd next to the Shell filling station, knocking the boy – who was travelling in the same direction – off his bike. He was not wearing a helmet.

Larisa drove away. A man known only as Valentin, thought to be her husband, was following in another car. He stopped briefly but, deciding that Lotus was dead, he too sped off.

Police failed to find either of the drivers. But witnesses helped officers to track down one of the cars to a rental agency, where they found it had been rented to a third Russian national, named Ekaterina. She told the police that she was a passenger with Larissa and witnessed the accident, which she described.

But now, apparently, she has left the country, as have Valentin and Larisa. The main witness – Ekaterina – also disappeared after the police questioning. Police also interviewed Anna, the host of a party the Russian couple had been to before the accident but she told them she did not know their full names.

The flight of the three Russians has caused bitterness, not only among the boy’s family but also among the frustrated police.

Capt Thada Sodarak, investigation officer at Chalong police station told The Phuket News, “Wherever country people come from, whether developed or not, I believe we all have hearts. But what these Russians showed is that they are heartless – they don’t care. They just left.

“I asked [Ekaterina and Anna] to tell me the full names of their friends. But they just don’t care.

“I understand the intensity of the feelings of the boy’s relatives. Nevertheless, I have told them not to attack these Russian people. I have also ordered the police to look after the safety of everybody at Villa Market.” (Villa Market is a popular shopping venue for Russians in the Chalong area.)

“Right now we know who is the driver who killed the boy, but we can’t reveal anything. We just want to have the driver’s full name to advance the investigation. But no one will tell us.

“Of all the [foreigners] who live in Thailand, the Russians cause the most problem. Look: they come to our country, hit our children, and then when they feel like it they [run away].

“I asked them [the Russian witnesses], ‘Look, what would you do if a Thai goes to your country and hits and kills your children? Would you let him go back home?’ They said nothing.”

Som, the mother of the dead boy, told The Phuket News: “Lotus was a good boy. He worked and took care of his grandmother and his brothers and sisters. On the night he died he had gone out to buy some mosquito repellent.

“I have donated his eyes to the Thai Red Cross Society and already someone has received them.

“I don’t want my son to have died without someone paying for it. I’m ready to forgive because I don’t want [his spirit] to worry, but these Russians [the witness Ekaterina and and the party host Anna] are shirking their responsibility. They are not going to reveal the real name of the driver. It seems they are trying to protect their friends.”

The family were also critical of the police for allowing the witness Ekaterina to leave the country; she apparently flew out to Dubai on Monday (April 7). “How could the police not hold on to her passport?” Mrs Som asked. “She is the only witness.

“The car that hit my son went through a police checkpoint. Four officers were there but no one could catch that car.”

Pim, the boy’s aunt told The Phuket News that the family had done a deal of investigating before the police reacted, identifying the car and even the party venue, where they found one man still drunk, surrounded by empty beer and alcohol bottles.

Police declined to give more details of the investigation, but police volunteers said they would welcome any more details about the two drivers, Larisa and Valentin.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/dead-boy%E2%80%99s-family-in-phuket-%E2%80%98mob%E2%80%99-against-russians-45639.php


-- Phuket News 2014-04-11

[rhythmworx]

Boot on the other foot....and what not.

[Ace of Pop]

A 16 Y.O. wandering about at 1.A.M. No Crash Hat.If the Lad was mine id feel some resposibility.Perhaps im just Old Fashioned.RIP.

[Somtamnication]

And the kangaroo court begins...............

[Som wat]

Heartless.

Like the Phuket native who went to the funeral of an Aussie who died on his rented motorbike to get his family to pay for the bike as he the owner didn't have any insurance for it?

[draftvader]

I feel sad for the family. No matter how negligent they were as parents they have still lost their love.

The irony in this article is painful. I hope that this serves as a lesson to the Thai populace that this HAS to stop. Whether it be a Thai driver or foreign driver they should all be held responsible....unless the victim isn't wearing a helmet.

The whole thing is farcical when you look at it that way and you have to understand why the police have thrown their hands in the air over this one.

[shirtless]

Well i was nearly run over yesterday by some dopey Russian to lazy to park his car properly and i was walking on the footpath, some of them need a reality check.Then again they are quality tourists,

[angsta]

Traffic accidents in Thailand are not the fault of Thai's. Is everyone clear about that??

[RedNIvar]

Typical! Blame someone else. The family should first realise that their son was riding a bike at odd hours of the night without a crash helmet. That in itself is irresponsible and should go down to poor guidance from the parents. Societies acceptance of a lack of helmet does not help either. Yes, the Russians should have made a police report (it did not state if they did), and stayed back to closed up the loose ends of this accident. That is what it was an accident.

Either way, even if they had stayed back the end result would still be the same. A senseless death, why? because of clear disregard for safety.

This is more of the family not having the opportunity to milk money off these Russians for the loss of their child. IMHO.

[fred007]

I do have to agree with the Thai family for the failure of the police for not seizing the only valid witnesses passport.

But in saying that my wifes brother inlaw is a high ranking police investingator in cases like this and if you knew the amount of cases

and conditions he has to work under its no wonder poor police proceedure exist in this land

RIP Little Buddy

[nicolas18]

Typical! Blame someone else. The family should first realise that their son was riding a bike at odd hours of the night without a crash helmet. That in itself is irresponsible and should go down to poor guidance from the parents. Societies acceptance of a lack of helmet does not help either. Yes, the Russians should have made a police report (it did not state if they did), and stayed back to closed up the loose ends of this accident. That is what it was an accident.

Either way, even if they had stayed back the end result would still be the same. A senseless death, why? because of clear disregard for safety.

This is more of the family not having the opportunity to milk money off these Russians for the loss of their child. IMHO.

So, let me get it straight. According to the article, the woman did a U-turn and hit a teenager on a bike. The husband was following her in another car, they saw the kid was dead/dying and they decided to flee the scene.

In Western countries, that right there would be enough to get her in jail for fleeing the scene and for not providing assistance to the kid.

In addition, the article doesn't say anything about the kid being at fault, besides him failing to wear a helmet. And, yet, you turn that into "an opportunity for the family to milk money out of those poor Russians???" That is widely uncalled for. They're the ones who now have to live without their child while those Russians just took the first flight home.

Edit: The article actually says he was driving in the same direction than the woman. Since she was making a U-turn, the kid had the priority over her (he was driving straight on), at least based on what has been reported.

Edited April 11, 2014 by nicolas18

[chrissables]

A 16 Y.O. wandering about at 1.A.M. No Crash Hat.If the Lad was mine id feel some resposibility.Perhaps im just Old Fashioned.RIP.

What on earth are spouting off about? He was killed by a car being driven illegally, helmet or not, the car driver caused his death.

[art vandelay]

we dont hear reports like this when thai drivers kiil thais... the almost weekly multiple fatality bus and lorry accidents not to mention car and motorcycle accidents. maybe if more thai people cared then something would be done stop the unnecessary loss of life on the roads

[DiamondKing]

While the loss of life is tragic these Russians DID EXACTLY WHAT THAIS DO EVERYDAY and its laughable that the police call them heartless because WE LEARN FROM THAIS to not stop and just continue and do a runner.

A friend of mine was going to 7-11 for cigarettes at 11 at night stone cold sober and was hit from behind the guy then proceeded to reverse back over him breaking both of his legs the only reason he survived was that passers by screamed at teh driver who then proceeded to drive off and was never found.

Makes me laugh when they blame foreigners for only doing what thais do every day.

I recently had an accident and hit a motorcycle head on doing 100kph I STOPPED even though I was advised by my wife not to stop because I would be harmed i thought these 2 people were dead I hit them so hard but miracoulously they got up and walked away just shook up. I was found not at fault on the scene and allowed to go.

[meatboy]

frustrated police I think we all know why,everyone involved including the witnesses have flown home,what off an island with a limited amount of flights,then out of bkk.on another flight booked or not booked that is the question.how long does that take.

you can all make up your own minds as to went went on after the accident.

could have been your son.r.i.p.

[dpeti73]

Maybe just maybe he not died if wearing helmet, but those Russian have to go to jail anyway.

[Lancelot]

I found this quote a bit ironic: “Wherever country people come from, whether developed or not, I believe we all have hearts. But what these Russians showed is that they are heartless – they don’t care. They just left"

Hmmm, Pot calling the kettle blackie? While driving my motorbike I personally have been run off the road by Thai drivers. They certainly didn't act very caring about my safety or well being.

I do feel sorry for the deceased and of course the family is upset. But how often does the same tragedy happen to foreigners living in or visiting Thailand?

Mobing against foreigners could be a bit worrisome as well- but I'm surprised it hasn't happened sooner.

PS- The Thai police are actually pretty good at solving crimes- when they want to...

[harrycallahan]

The irony in this article is painful. I hope that this serves as a lesson to the Thai populace that this HAS to stop. Whether it be a Thai driver or foreign driver they should all be held responsible....unless the victim isn't wearing a helmet.

This one takes the cake. Drive like a maniac but make sure you only hit helmetless riders, all good.

[robertthebruce]

What about the ''Red Bull'' Heir driver in 'Bangkok' which happened a while ago,he killed a policeman and dragged him along the road, he seems to have got off with it, and no one creating any scenes about that.. ????

I aint saying what happened is right, but Thailand needs to get its act together..

Everything seems to boil down to money... ??? sad but true..

And if its any consoliation, ''I HATE DRIVING HERE''... IT SCARES THE CRAP OUT OF ME..

[Eric Loh]

Shocking comment by some not showing an iota of empathy. Perhaps they are Russian trying to protect their own. Whether who is in the wrong, the right way is to stop and help. Both flee the scene!!! Is there anymore to say??

[kurnell]

Does this sort of ridiculous article appear in Thai newspapers?

[Gunna]

A 16 Y.O. wandering about at 1.A.M. No Crash Hat.If the Lad was mine id feel some resposibility.Perhaps im just Old Fashioned.RIP.

What on earth are spouting off about? He was killed by a car being driven illegally, helmet or not, the car driver caused his death.

Or maybe she had her right turn indicator on and he ran into the back of her either because he was under the influence or maybe he didn't know what the indicator light meant as he had never used one himself.

Or maybe she was drunk after a party and didn't see him.

Either way the Russians new it would be farangs fault and was going to cost them a lot of money

[GAZZPA]

I do have to agree with the Thai family for the failure of the police for not seizing the only valid witnesses passport.

But in saying that my wifes brother inlaw is a high ranking police investingator in cases like this and if you knew the amount of cases

and conditions he has to work under its no wonder poor police proceedure exist in this land

RIP Little Buddy

Why would she have her passport seized? She made a statement as a witness but she has done nothing wrong. It would be very wrong to hold her passport.

Basically, the couple have fled and gone back home. It is tragic but it was an accident and fleeing the scene is just the normal thing in Thailand,, or at least that is how it seems.

So, there really is nothing the police can do about this. They will never track the driver down.

[Sakeopete]

I feel for the boy's parents but what the Russians did is the norm in Thailand. Lets face facts the kid was not even old enough to have a drivers license not to mention not wearing a helmet. We all see how these idiots on motorcycle break every rule of the road. The accident would have been treated as a lottery win for the parents and police.

The Russian did the right thing IMHO they would have received no justice and would have been automatically at fault for being foreigners. The police would have ignored the fact that the rider was under aged and not wearing a helmet.

The Russians would have been in jail until their life saving were in the hands of greedy police and the kid's parents.

[Andre0720]

Looks like they were a little more Russians than Farangs..

But then there might be a reason for the distinction....:

“Of all the [foreigners] who live in Thailand, the Russians cause the most problem.''

[biplanebluey]

frustrated police I think we all know why,everyone involved including the witnesses have flown home,what off an island with a limited amount of flights,then out of bkk.on another flight booked or not booked that is the question.how long does that take.

you can all make up your own minds as to went went on after the accident.

could have been your son.r.i.p.

What went on after the accident?------ Surely you are non insinuating that they paid the police to get off and go home? Sounds a bit far fetched to me

[zaZa9]

Anyone being even half aware of the abject corruption of the Chalong Police , would probably do the same.

I wouldnt be surprised at all to learn that these cops have already been paid to let the Russians slip away. They are that dishonest.

They are not lamenting the chance to 'solve' the case , to them its already solved - the Russians did it ! And those Russians were heartless not to stay around - to pay the cops off even more as a percentage of the blood money.

As has been stated , they are doing exactly what some Thais do in this situation every day.

Sorry , but things are so dysfunctional here about laws , corruption and outcomes , that Im pretty sure I woould have recommended they do the same ...

[robblok]

I feel sad for the family. No matter how negligent they were as parents they have still lost their love.

The irony in this article is painful. I hope that this serves as a lesson to the Thai populace that this HAS to stop. Whether it be a Thai driver or foreign driver they should all be held responsible....unless the victim isn't wearing a helmet.

The whole thing is farcical when you look at it that way and you have to understand why the police have thrown their hands in the air over this one.

No helmet is at least partly to blame himself that is my opinion.

I wish they shown the same reaction at all the Thai drivers who do the same. Maybe they do but it seems awfully foreigner orientated.

In general Thais do the same thing driving off.

I find that repulsive too, but here the tone is so much directed at foreigners its crazy. Though i might be mistaken as not too long ago a police station was blocked by Thais to get justice in an Thai hit and run case. But there the driver was supposedly a helper of the owner of the car. Though I think many would agree it could have been the owner.

[DerkMR]

Claiming that foreigners do bad when thais do it on a dialy base - TIT!

Russians should show heart and responsibility when no Thai can do so?

I'm not a friend of how like 95% of the Russians behave, but same same with the Thais!

I just had a motobike accident with a car driver not giving me the right of way - he not even left the car before deciding to drive away and leaving me with the 100+ k THB bills for broken glasses, motobike and hospital (5 days stay).

Bye,

Derk

[biplanebluey]

frustrated police I think we all know why,everyone involved including the witnesses have flown home,what off an island with a limited amount of flights,then out of bkk.on another flight booked or not booked that is the question.how long does that take.

you can all make up your own minds as to went went on after the accident.

could have been your son.r.i.p.

What went on after the accident????-------- surely you are not suggesting that some sort of bribery and corruption went on with the police.

Can't believe that