Thai businessman charged for fatal collision amid mounting criticism

[Fookhaht]

Officers In Charge of Ayutthaya Deadly Collision Removed

By Teeranai Charuvastra

Staff Reporter

National police deputy commander Pongsapat Pongcharoen, at right, on Thursday night inspects the burned out remains of Ford Fiesta in the Sunday collision.

AYUTTHAYA — The police officers investigating Sunday’s deadly collision that left two dead on an Ayutthaya highway have been replaced following criticism they failed to test the driver for alcohol and drug use.

Police said yesterday that new officers have been brought in to oversee the case against 37-year-old Jenphop Viraporn. He was only charged with fatal reckless driving yesterday, three days after he slammed his Mercedes-Benz into a Ford Fiesta at high speed, killing two graduate students inside. Both victims - a man and a woman - were in their early 30s.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1458280013

-- Khaosod English 2016-03-18

The guy in the middle background is already thinking about the new car he will buy for his envelope, whereas the guy on the left is clearly saying " hey, I want in on it as well!".

No doubt the failed. Seen a Mercedes and feared for there jobs. Business as usual!

you're wrong ! not fear for their job ... just glad to have a big opportunity to get a big envelope

The following article says they were also axed for waiting four days to question the accused, and for not charging the accused for obstruction of justice when he allegedly refused a blood alcohol test at the hospital.

Edited March 18, 2016 by Fookhaht

[gandalf12]

Off the top of my head, here are the points at which influential people can avoid paying for their crimes in Thailand.

1. No police investigation

2. Police investigation but someone else fitted up for it.

3. Rap taken by a nong. Perhaps a goon or driver has to face the music.

4. Police investigation but no charges laid.

5. Charges laid but case dropped by District Prosecutor.

6. District Prosecutor "chucks" the case in court by watering down the key evidence.

7. Defendant spins the process out with numerous medical adjournements of the case.

8. The judge is paid off and the defendant found not guilty due to insufficient evidence.

9. Bail is given at every opportunity even after being found guilty in the court of first instance.

10. Flee abroad.

11. The defendant is placed under psychiatric supervision.

12. A very large delay between the initial guilty verdict and the Appeals Court verdict.

13. Appeals Court is another opportunity to influence a judge.

14. If found guilty there, more freedom on bail is given.

15. Many years later, the case reaches the Supreme Court.

16. Another judge, another opportunity.

17. Defendant fails to appear for hearing and the police don't look very hard for him.

18. Substitute does the prison time.

19. No substitute in prison, simply pay off the Corrections Dept to say he is incarcerated there when he isn't.

20. Fake death.

There are more creative ones but you can see only proles do time in Thailand.

You forgot evidence gets lost

[razer]

Expect a lenient sentence after several years of wrangling in the legal system.

It's hard for people from the West to digest the fact that things like this do not result in jail time in Thailand.

[Bluespunk]

Investigation, trial and punishment by social media.

Madness

True. On the other hand, without social media do you think that there would have been any investigation let alone trial and punishment?

That's my point.

It is insane that this is what it takes to get anything done.

Unless something is done to completely overhaul the BIB this is going to keep on happening and it is a certainty that innocent people will be tried by social media and then how long before some moron takes it into their head to exact justice.

It's happened in the UK with false pedophile accusations leading to people getting seriously hurt.

Trial by social media is a blunt weapon, not bound by any rules of evidence or justice, that cannot be good for any society.

I think in this case, when the average man in the street has a lot more common sense and reasoning facilities than the average BIB, has access to two videos showing this crazy fwit and his driving, why shouldn't they comment, especially where there is no chance of any false accusations.

It's setting a precedent that leads no where good. Yes in this case the <deleted> being pursued appears to be guilty. However this use of social media is wide open to abuse.

[Bluespunk]

Investigation, trial and punishment by social media.

Madness

Got a better idea for these "usual" circumstances (like no or little action for driving carelessly causing death)?

Trial and conviction by social media isn't justice. Even if in this case the party being pursued is guilty, this kind of action blurs lines and will lead nowhere good.

[Puccini]

I thought that the powers that be brought in a law last year that you couldn't refuse a breathalyzer.

I'm not sure but I believe a driver has the right to refuse a breathalyzer test and when a driver exercises this right the police has the duty to detain the driver and bring him promptly to a hospital for a blood alcohol test, which the driver has no right to refuse.

[ramrod711]

Investigation, trial and punishment by social media.

Madness

Got a better idea for these "usual" circumstances (like no or little action for driving carelessly causing death)?

Trial and conviction by social media isn't justice. Even if in this case the party being pursued is guilty, this kind of action blurs lines and will lead nowhere good.

In my opinion social media is doing a service in this case. If the video hadn't been uploaded it would have disappeared and there would be no case and no justice for these two young people and their grieving families. After all no one here has the final say, that's up to the judge.

[Artisi]

Investigation, trial and punishment by social media.

Madness

Got a better idea for these "usual" circumstances (like no or little action for driving carelessly causing death)?

Trial and conviction by social media isn't justice. Even if in this case the party being pursued is guilty, this kind of action blurs lines and will lead nowhere good.

I think I and others would agree your point, but relying on the BIB / system also leads nowhere.

[Eric Loh]

Waiting for the junta PM to do his regular outburst at this outrageous police mishandling of the case. He should lash at the RTP and demand a reform. What am I thinking. Will never happen between cohorts.

[MickRobbo]

Again, see the pictures and just look at what that Mercedes did to that Fiesta...

good call, but look at the roof damage - that by all intense and purposes is a very heavy hit + the light distorted picture of the Fiesta. Thais generally don't comprehend road etiquette let alone driving a high powered vehicle at speed, it was a recipe for disaster. Just because you can afford to buy it doesn't mean you have the ability to drive it. Totally misunderstood reality (of the speed differential in anticipation techniques) and blatant ignorance, incorporating stupidity have great impact on the roads death toll in this country. Always such minuscule room for error (like millimetres). They're so unpredictable. Lucky, some might say he's alive - Merc safety record is impeccable

[taony]

Jenphop Plowed Through Toll Booth Before Deadly Crash

By Teeranai Charuvastra

Staff Reporter

Jenphop Viraporn blows through a toll booth barrier not long before causing two deaths Sunday in a still image from security footage.

BANGKOK — Not long before speeding on to cause two highway deaths, vehicular manslaughter suspect Jenphop Viraporn smashed through a Bangkok toll booth barrier in an incident also captured on video.

About an hour before the 37-year-old luxury car dealer slammed into a vehicle on a highway in Ayutthaya which then burst into flames, killing two students inside, Jenphop was filmed in the same Mercedes-Benz in a video uploaded to social media Friday.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1458284768

-- Khaosod English 2016-03-18

In any normal civilized country someone who drives through a toll, smashing the barrier, then plows at excessive speed into the back of another car, killing to innocent young people, and then who also refuses to be tested for illegal drugs and alcohol would be facing a long prison sentence.

Let's see how this one pans out in Thailand.

Blood money paid, some public merit making with media present, slap on the wrist, suspended sentence, and maybe some community service? Or a long prison sentence, driving ban and very big fine?

What's the betting?

Or will it simply disappear like all those others where the chosen ones are involved?

In a normal civilized country he would have been stopped by police and arrested for breaking through the barrier. He wouldn't have been let to drive around for another hour and two people wouldn't be dead!!!!!!!

Sometimes i feel bad for having such negative views of thai police but $%&*#&$%. They are the lowest scum on the planet. Illiterate and evil dolts!!!!

[Bluespunk]

Investigation, trial and punishment by social media.

Madness

Got a better idea for these "usual" circumstances (like no or little action for driving carelessly causing death)?

Trial and conviction by social media isn't justice. Even if in this case the party being pursued is guilty, this kind of action blurs lines and will lead nowhere good.

In my opinion social media is doing a service in this case. If the video hadn't been uploaded it would have disappeared and there would be no case and no justice for these two young people and their grieving families. After all no one here has the final say, that's up to the judge.

Probably you are right, however my problem is not with the particulars of this case or the level of guilt if the <deleted> being pursued. It's the fact that a prescedent is being set.

What if next time the campaign fails due to the fact the accused are innocent and some vigilante decides its time for street justice. They don't know the facts but lots of people say he/she is guilty and they act on that assumption.

It's already happened in the uk and no doubt elsewhere.

Don't get me wrong, I think this guy is guilty but the whole trial by social media is something that worries me.

What's more is that unless there is root and branch reform of the BIB there will be more of this type of campaign and someone judged guilty by netizens but in reality innocent will be hurt.

[smutcakes]

Probably you are right, however my problem is not with the particulars of this case or the level of guilt if the <deleted> being pursued. It's the fact that a prescedent is being set.

What if next time the campaign fails due to the fact the accused are innocent and some vigilante decides its time for street justice. They don't know the facts but lots of people say he/she is guilty and they act on that assumption.

It's already happened in the uk and no doubt elsewhere.

Don't get me wrong, I think this guy is guilty but the whole trial by social media is something that worries me.

What's more is that unless there is root and branch reform of the BIB there will be more of this type of campaign and someone judged guilty by netizens but in reality innocent will be hurt.

If not social media, what option is there? By all accounts the police had already given up by the time it came up on SM.

Despite the reform agenda, we have already been told there will be no reform of the police.

Again something with anyone with half a brain cell knew at the start of the 'reform' stuff. (apologies to Baerboxer etc)

[Thian]

Buying a Benz or to a lesser extent a BMW takes you to a new level in Thailand.

A law less, sod you, carfree , selfish, ignorant, arrogant world above the mere pessant driving, Honda's, Toyota's and please don't mention the low life motorbike drivers, they are vermin in the eyes of the Benz elite.

This guy had a BMW before which he also crashed in an accident.

He has a company in building custom cars.

Edited March 18, 2016 by Thian

[rooster59]

Jenphop Charged With Drunk Driving, Obstruction of Justice

By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter



Jenphop Viraporn arrives at Ayutthaya Provincial Court on hospital stretcher on Friday afternoon.

AYUTTHAYA — Police have filed additional charges against a driver who caused two to die in a flaming wreck Sunday for refusing a sobriety test in the aftermath of the crash.

Previously, Jenphop Viraporn, 37, was only charged with fatal reckless driving for the Sunday’s collision on Ayutthaya highway. The case sparked accusations on social media that police were shielding Jenphop because of his standing as a wealthy owner of a luxury car company.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1458303656

-- Khaosod English 2016-03-18

[connda]

Unable to buy his way out of it. Amazing!

[Bluespunk]

Probably you are right, however my problem is not with the particulars of this case or the level of guilt if the <deleted> being pursued. It's the fact that a prescedent is being set.

What if next time the campaign fails due to the fact the accused are innocent and some vigilante decides its time for street justice. They don't know the facts but lots of people say he/she is guilty and they act on that assumption.

It's already happened in the uk and no doubt elsewhere.

Don't get me wrong, I think this guy is guilty but the whole trial by social media is something that worries me.

What's more is that unless there is root and branch reform of the BIB there will be more of this type of campaign and someone judged guilty by netizens but in reality innocent will be hurt.

If not social media, what option is there? By all accounts the police had already given up by the time it came up on SM.

Despite the reform agenda, we have already been told there will be no reform of the police.

Again something with anyone with half a brain cell knew at the start of the 'reform' stuff. (apologies to Baerboxer etc)

I appear to be a minority here but the fact is, for me at least, that trial by social media is wrong. Yes the BIB are a bunch of inept, lazy, corrupt, useless &lt;deleted&gt;. That's not in doubt, however social media is not the answer.

Reform is the only answer. The fact this govt won't implement it does not make it any less correct.

If the netizens (oh how I hate that term) want to do something useful then campaign for that.

For as long as it takes.

No matter how long or arduous the journey is.

If they want justice then that's what they have to do.

It's a lot harder to do but it's the only answer.

Edited March 18, 2016 by Bluespunk

[Happy Grumpy]

That Mercedes would be worth it's price just for how well its cabin maintained its shape and integrity. No doubt in my mind that it saved the driver's life. That was an otherwise devastating crash.

As I said in the BTS breaks down thread:

German engineering.

Thai maintenance.

[oldsailor35]

Did they trace the guy with the dash cam who recorded it all. If not he needs to get a copy before he hands it over, we all know how easily evidence can be lost by the RTP a good example was the Koh Tao shambles, or investigation.

[oldsailor35]

The suspect has the right to refuse tests??? After he killed two people? Really? What law is this?

Would have walked away a free man had his dad dabbled in energy drinks instead of luxury cars. Just saying...

I think that two men refused to take DNA tests on the Koh Tao murders and were allowed to walk away, until later after much bad publicity, a 'bogus' test was done in front of the media. AS expected, there was no match !

[puukao]

farang life valued at about 500 baht

non-farang.....well, you can guess

so tell your kids.......if we don't make it back, free McD's dinner from LOS

[tomacht8]

The frantic double death driver, nothing will happen to him.
Latest in 3 weeks he will once again sit behind the wheel and race down the highways.
He is rich, he is untouchable.
Comparable cases, there are plenty of them.

[daiwill60]

I guess it has to start somewhere, dont be so negative, the people are beginning to voice themselves by whichever way they can.

As Bob Dylan said " The times thay are a changing' and not before time either

[silverado]

Off the top of my head, here are the points at which influential people can avoid paying for their crimes in Thailand.

1. No police investigation

2. Police investigation but someone else fitted up for it.

3. Rap taken by a nong. Perhaps a goon or driver has to face the music.

4. Police investigation but no charges laid.

5. Charges laid but case dropped by District Prosecutor.

6. District Prosecutor "chucks" the case in court by watering down the key evidence.

7. Defendant spins the process out with numerous medical adjournements of the case.

8. The judge is paid off and the defendant found not guilty due to insufficient evidence.

9. Bail is given at every opportunity even after being found guilty in the court of first instance.

10. Flee abroad.

11. The defendant is placed under psychiatric supervision.

12. A very large delay between the initial guilty verdict and the Appeals Court verdict.

13. Appeals Court is another opportunity to influence a judge.

14. If found guilty there, more freedom on bail is given.

15. Many years later, the case reaches the Supreme Court.

16. Another judge, another opportunity.

17. Defendant fails to appear for hearing and the police don't look very hard for him.

18. Substitute does the prison time.

19. No substitute in prison, simply pay off the Corrections Dept to say he is incarcerated there when he isn't.

20. Fake death.

There are more creative ones but you can see only proles do time in Thailand.

You forgot evidence gets lost

you forgot the culprit family lawier providing fake cctv recordings

Edited March 18, 2016 by silverado

[Khun Han]

Got a better idea for these "usual" circumstances (like no or little action for driving carelessly causing death)?

Trial and conviction by social media isn't justice. Even if in this case the party being pursued is guilty, this kind of action blurs lines and will lead nowhere good.

In my opinion social media is doing a service in this case. If the video hadn't been uploaded it would have disappeared and there would be no case and no justice for these two young people and their grieving families. After all no one here has the final say, that's up to the judge.

Probably you are right, however my problem is not with the particulars of this case or the level of guilt if the <deleted> being pursued. It's the fact that a prescedent is being set.

What if next time the campaign fails due to the fact the accused are innocent and some vigilante decides its time for street justice. They don't know the facts but lots of people say he/she is guilty and they act on that assumption.

It's already happened in the uk and no doubt elsewhere.

Don't get me wrong, I think this guy is guilty but the whole trial by social media is something that worries me.

What's more is that unless there is root and branch reform of the BIB there will be more of this type of campaign and someone judged guilty by netizens but in reality innocent will be hurt.

Reform won't be triggered by the cowed mainstream media. And it certainly won't be triggered by the powers-that-be, because they are an intrinsic part of the problem. Reform will come from vigilance by social activists and social media, constantly highlighting injustices and corruption, shaming the participants in those injustices and corruption, backing them into a corner, and making it harder and harder for them to get away with it. There are always risks such as you flag up. But in a country as corrupt as Thailand, the benefits of social media exposure of wrongdoing exponentially outweigh the negatives, and are the only way forward until a tipping point has been reached.

[luckyman]

Just anounced that the Merc shamshed through a toll gate prior to the fatal crash.

This<snip> needs hanging out to dry.

Looks to me the moron was not drunk but more likely high as a kite. Hope he gets what he deserves, either from the police or from the victim's family, karma can be a bitch. Edited March 18, 2016 by luckyman

[luckyman]

Didnt this all happen right during a massive army crackdown on 'influential' figures as well as on corrupt police that has been all over the news the past weeks?

Shows you exactly how effective and how threatening such crackdowns have become. Thailand go back to sleep the army is watching over you (not).

[Bluespunk]

@ Khun Han

I wish I shared your optimism about those using social media. I feel it won't lead to justice but rather vigilantism.

Let's hope I'm wrong.

Edited March 19, 2016 by Bluespunk

[smedly]

Unable to buy his way out of it. Amazing!

Bit early for that one, lets see if he ever hits a jail cell or we ever hear the follow up to this case

[NongKhaiKid]

He's been charged but that's only part of the process so will he ever see the inside of a court and if he does will an appropriate sentence be handed down ?

Unfortunately these questions surface every time a so called ' somebody ' is involved.

Let's wait and what, if anything, happens as we may never know what's going on behind the scenes and if there's ever a follow up on this story involving a report on the court proceedings.

Edited March 19, 2016 by NongKhaiKid