A Chulalongkorn University law student who crashed her car after the tyres were shot out by three Bang Chan policemen who mistook her for a drug dealer has been given a new vehicle.
Deputy police chief Pongsapat Pongcharoen presents a new car to Apisada Sajjapanroj. (Photos by Thiti Wannamontha)
The delivery of a new Suzuki Swift to Apisada Sajjapanroj, 21, took place at the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) on Wednesday, four days after the wrongful shooting on Ramkhamhaeng Soi 118 that resulted in her smashing into other vehicles as she desperately tried to get away from the bullets.
The red-plate Swift, worth 564,000 baht, is the same model and colour as that of Ms Apisada's wrecked car.
Apisada: Lost confidence in police
Before the car was handed over, the NSB launched a five-day training workshop for 65 anti-drugs policemen from eight police stations, including Bang Chan, under the Metropolitan Police Division 4. Ms Apisada was invited to be a guest speaker on the first day of the event, to share her experience in the Bang Chan police’s botched operation.
In her speech, Ms Apisada said she and her family previously had confidence in the police, but the incident changed their minds.
“I am only one voice from the people, who want to tell the police that they should learn from their mistakes and continue with what’s already good for the public.
“Personally, I hope one day my confidence in the police will be restored, just like before.”
Deputy police chief Pongsapat Pongcharoen, who is in charge of drug suppression, said a fact-finding panel was expected to conclude its probe into the incident within three days. The findings would detail what caused the misunderstanding and who should be held accountable.