The prosecution on Friday indicted Janepob Veeraporn on eight charges in connection with the March 13 high-speed car crash in Ayutthaya that killed two postgraduate students.
The eight charges included reckless driving causing death, exceeding the speed limit, driving under the influence of alcohol and driving after taking narcotic substances. He was also charged with 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 by the authorities.
Along with the indictment, the prosecution proposed for the Ayutthaya provincial court to consider revoking Mr Janepob's driving licence for life, said Krisada Rojanawan, the chief Ayutthaya provincial prosecutor.
And in the event that Mr Janepob is given a reduced sentence, the prosecution proposed for the court to consider sending him to a medical institution because he was found to have a mental disorder, said Mr Krisada. The prosecution also wants the court to instruct Mr Janepob to refrain from taking illicit drugs and drinking alcohol, said Mr Krisada.
On March 13, Mr Janepob was driving at a very high speed when he rammed his Mercedes-Benz into the rear of a Ford carrying two postgraduate students, killing them both.
The crash was captured by a nearby car's dash-cam. The video clip of the incident circulated on social media leading to a public outcry over the local police's handling of this case and accusations that they tried to help the suspect get off the hook.
In response to calls for the police to include an additional charge of premeditated murder, the prosecution agreed with police investigators that the case did not fit the premeditated murder category, said an informed source.
If relatives of the crash victims want to pursue a premeditated murder charge against the suspect, the prosecution advised they get lawyers to file a separate lawsuit.