Janepob Veeraporn has pleaded guilty to one of the seven charges in connection with a high-speed car crash in Ayutthaya that killed two postgraduate students in March.
Mr Janepob accepted the charge of reckless driving causing death and entered not guilty pleas to six others laid against him when he appeared before the Ayutthaya Provincial Court on Monday. The court set Dec 2 to begin the examination of evidence and witness lists.
Mr Janepob, accompanied by his family and lawyer, refused to talk to reporters and left the court immediately.
The other six charges are speeding, drink-driving causing death, driving under the influence of drugs causing death, driving while unfit to do so, driving without regard for safety of others, and defying an order issued under the Traffic Act by the authorities for him to undergo alcohol and drugs tests and flouting other orders issued under the Criminal Code.
Mr Janepob, 37, rammed his Mercedes-Benz into the rear of a Ford carrying Thanthaphat Horsaengchai, 34, and Kritsana Thaworn, 32, on Phahon Yothin Road in Ayutthaya’s Bang Pa-in district on March 13. The dead students, whose car was burst into flames, were pursuing master's degrees at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University.
Wichian Choobthaisong, a lawyer representing the Horsaengchai family, said the defendant’s lawyer earlier asked the court to suspend the criminal proceedings, citing Mr Janepob’s mental state as a reason. The court summoned doctors to testify to prove the claim. But the defence later asked the court to drop the petition and said Mr Janepob would fight the case, leading to the first hearing on Monday.
The Horsaengchai family also filed a civil lawsuit seeking 100 million baht from Mr Janepob after he had not contacted it, Mr Wichian said.
Thanthaphat’s mother said: “I understand parents' feelings. They don’t want to see their child being a wrongdoer.
“But I want Thanthaphat’s case to be an example and set a precedent for Thai society. It will be of considerable benefit to many families whose loved ones are driving on the roads.
“I believe the court administers justice impartially.”