Udom died on the spot, with his body faced down on the ground, head bloodied, and limbs broken. Akarawin fled the scene, leaving his friend there. He turned himself in the following afternoon at 4pm โ over 13 hours after the incident โ and accepted all charges against him.
Akarawin was charged with reckless driving, resulting in death, carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of , baht, and fleeing the scene of an accident, punishable by six months in jail and a 20, baht fine. Khlong Tan police chief Col. These will most likely be the only charges against him.
This is not the first, the fifth, nor the last time Thailand will see this happen. The culture of impunity is so glaringly obvious, yet so normalized, ignored, and celebrated even, by mostly those holding onto power.
His case was almost dropped back in July, if not for public outrage. Akarawin Taechaubol, no matter the intention, family background, or wealth, should face the same consequences and prosecution within the Thai justice system. The fact that he was released on bail of , baht for killing a man while pro-democracy protesters sit in jail shows just how corrupt and broken the Thai justice system is in serving, protecting, and treating its citizens as equals within this country.
This is why the new generation of Thais and Thai students refuse to accept the injustice any longer. The privileged Thais, those in power, and people like Akarawin should not be put on a pedestal and made to feel that their lives are more important and worthy than others, merely because they have more in superficial and material gains. If you needed any more reasons why millions of people are out on the streets demanding change in Thailand today, this is it.
