Three police officers made a minor mistake in their handling of the investigation into the horrific fatal accident involving a speeding Mercedes-Benz and a Ford sedan in Ayutthaya, but there had been no major breach of discipline, a police inquiry has decided.
The fact-finding committee found the Phra-in Racha district police superintendent, Pol Col Pongpat Suksawat, senior investigator Pol Col Nipat Sangpairote and Pol Lt Col Somsak Polpankhang, who was previously in charge of the case, had made a mistake in failing to strictly follow mandatory procedures while handling the high-profile collision, Ayutthaya police commander Sutthi Puangpikul said Wednesday.
It was, however, not considered a major breach of discipline.
Pol Maj Gen Sutthi said Pol Lt Col Somsak was found to be slow in accepting the case for further proceedings while his superiors Pol Col Pongpat and Pol Col Nipat were guilty for failing to supervise thier subordinate's work.
The officers had admitted wrongdoing and would accept punishment according to Royal Thai Police regulations. Provincial Police Region 1 chief Chaiwat Ketworachai would later determine their penalties, the Ayutthaya police chief said.
On March 13, two post-graduate students were killed when their Ford Fiesta was rear-ended by a luxury Mercedes-Benz driven by wealthy businessman Janepob Veeraporn, 37, and burst into flames.
Four days later, deputy national police chief Pongsapat Pongcharoen ordered Provincial Police Region 1 to take over the fatal crash investigation after local police handling the case had been sharply criticised for being slow and failing to test Mr Janepob's blood alcohol level after the accident.
Mr Janepob had refused to cooperate with them, citing his injuries and imminent transfer to a hospital in Bangkok.
Pol Lt Gen Chaiwat later transferred the three Phra-in Racha officers to the operations centre at the bureau for 15 days pending the disciplinary investigation.
Whether the officers will return to their previous positions will be decided by the Provincial Police Region 1 chief, Pol Maj Gen Sutthi said.
Police will wrap up their investigation by the end of the week, he added.
