PHITSANULOK -- A monk was behind the wheel of the car that slammed head-on into a motorbike carrying two Naresuan University students, killing them, police said on Thursday.
Phra Sakda Kulnawattano, of Wat Yang Aen in Muang district, told police that he borrowed the car from the father of a friend to drive to another temple in Bang Krathum district when he was involved in Dec 9 crash, said Pol Capt Manop Saeng-in, a duty officer at Wang Namkhu police station.
The accident occurred just after midnight on a road along an irrigation canal at Yang Thon village in tambon Wat Phrik of Muang district near the university. The car skidded off the road and plunged into the irrigation canal.
Killed were students Narchana Thongmom, 20, and Suriyan Chanto, 19, who were travelling on the motorcycle.
Three others, including Phra Sakda, another monk and a layman, were injured.
Police were awaiting the results of a blood-alcohol test on Phra Saksa to determine if the monk had been drunk, said Pol Capt Nanop.
The monk could face charges of reckless driving causing death, said the officer.
Bunruang Taengkor, director of the National Office of Buddhism's Phitsanlok branch office, said on Thursday that regulations prohibit monks from driving cars or riding a motorcycle.
His office would let police take legal action against Phra Sakda and suggesged he leave the monkhood.