Senior provincial police in Ayutthaya have been ordered to take over the investigation into the high-profile collision that killed two people after local officers came under a barrage of public outrage over their handling of the case.
Deputy national police chief Pongsapat Pongcharoen on Thursday ordered the case to be sent from Phra-in Racha police station, which is handling the investigation, to the Ayutthaya Provincial Police Office.
The office will set up a working panel to deal with the case directly and must report progress within the next three days, Pol Gen Pongsapat said.
- Earlier report: Police charge Benz driver, defend 'alcohol test failure'
Another panel will be formed to find out why Phra-in Racha police had dithered over the case, resulting in a storm of public criticism. If they are found to have committed a breach of discipline, they will be punished according to regulations, he added.
Kritsana Thaworn, 32, and Thantapat Horsangchai, 34, died after their car, which was fitted with an LPG tank, was rear-ended by another car driven by wealthy businessman Jenpob Weeraporn, 37, and burst into flames. The crash occurred on Phahon Yothin Road in Bang Pa-in district on Sunday and was filmed by the dash-cam of another car.
Local police handling the case have been sharply criticised for not testing the alcohol level of Mr Jenpob who refused to cooperate with them shortly after the accident because of his injuries.
Internet users, angered by Mr Jenpob’s reckless driving caught on video, also question why police have been slow to press charges as the clip clearly shows Mr Jenpob’s vehicle travelling at high-speed in the slow left lane before slamming into the back of the victims' car.