KANCHANABURI - The 43-year-old policeman who tracked down the man who allegedly threw the brick that maimed a female university student has taken a 20-kilometre run to a nearby temple to fulfill his vow to a sacred Buddha image.
The policeman who resolved the high-profile brick-hurling case in which a female university student was badly injured in Tha Maka district has run 20 kilometres from his home to a local temple to fulfill a vow to a sacred Buddha image. Photos by Piyarach Chongcharoen
Pol Lt Phuree Thianprapakul, the investigator in charge of the shocking brick-throwing case at Tha Rua police station, started his run from his police flat in Tha Maka district to Wat Tra Kham Ain at 6am on Tuesday.
When he was assigned the case, he had made a wish to Luang Por Dam, a Buddha image which has been highly revered by local people for decades. He promised that if he were successful in tracking down the brick thrower, he would make a run to the temple.
He did solve the case, and on Tuesday, he did make the run.
He was accompanied by his 40-year-old wife, 15-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter, but they travelled by motorcycle and pickup truck as he ran the rull 20 kilometres.
It took the healthy lieutenant three hours and 10 minutes to complete the run. He reached the temple at 9.10am. Neighbours waited to congratulate him, saying they were impressed by Pol Lt Phuree's strong determination and faith.
Before the run, however, was a month-long manhunt, capped last Friday by the arrest of the alleged brick thrower.
Pol Lt Phuree said the case and the vow began at the same time, last month. The crime shocked the country.
Jenjira Thongchai, the 18-year-old, first-year engineering student at Kasetsart University in Nakhon Pathom sustained a severe traumatic brain injury when the brick crashed into the passenger window of the pickup truck driven by her boyfriend.
The teenager was transferred to Sanam Chan Hospital in Muang district of Nakhon Pathom, where she underwent brain surgery. Hospital officials said she is no longer in critical condition, but still suffers memory loss.
On the day he began his investigation, Pol Lt Phuree was passing the monastery after finishing his inspection of the crime scene. On the spur of the moment, he decided to make a wish to the image that he would undertake an arduous task if he was able to apprehend the culprit who threw the brick.
The run, he said Tuesday, fulfilled his pledge, which he made because of his personal beliefs. He also gave credit to his police colleagues for their roles in apprehending the suspect, both the investigation team and his superiors who encouraged the investigation at every step.
The team last Friday arrested Wichai Pukheng, 19, at his house in Tha Muang district of the western province. Police say he has admitted to throwing the 1.5-kilogramme brick that hit the pickup truck transporting Ms Jenjira Thongchai while she and her friend were driving on the Kamphaeng Saen-Panom Thuan Road on the evening of June 8.
Police say Mr Wichai told them he had ridden his motorcycle that night to see his girlfriend, and picked up the brick at the roadside to scare off a dog.
He said he was angry after learning that his girlfriend had gone out with another man, and quarrelled with her when she returned.
Then, he said, he vented his anger by hurling the brick towards the road, without realising that it would hit a vehicle.
Mr Wichai has been charged with attempted murder.
Mr Jenjira, meanwhile, continues to struggle with recovery.
Just a month ago, or four days after the attack, doctors at Sanam Chan Hospital said Ms Jenjira was able to be transferred to Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok to receive further treatment for her eyes. After the brain surgery, they said there was no danger of permanent brain damage.
At that point, the teenger could see only one foot in front of her.
Last Saturday, Dr Weerapol Pokpong of Phramongkutklao Hospital said Jenjira's right eye had recovered normal vision, but her left eye was still damaged. She remained under doctors' care.
But she was able to stand and walk with her mother's help and is undergoing physical therapy, Dr Weerapol added.
