A road rage incident on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok’s Watthana district resulted in the death of a delivery rider after a car driver rammed into his motorcycle on Tuesday afternoon. The car driver was arrested and is facing a murder charge.
When police and rescue workers arrived at the scene, they found the victim, later identified as 49-year-old Ritthisak Prakuptanont, lying in a pool of blood.
His motorcycle was severely damaged. Nearby, authorities found a Toyota Altis with damage to its front and a shattered right side mirror, according to Pol Lt Jarin Rattanasuwanchai, deputy investigation chief at the Lumpini police station, who received the call around half-past noon.
The driver, 31-year-old Seree Srettheenamwong, the son of a garment shop owner from Sukhumvit Soi 7/1, was detained at the scene and taken to the Lumpini station.
Witnesses and a police investigation revealed that Seree was driving from the Asoke-Sukhumvit intersection towards the Ploenchit intersection when he collided with Ritthisak’s motorcycle.
After hitting the delivery rider’s bike, the driver did not stop to address the incident and continued driving. This led the rider to chase the car to the Siam 2 health massage shop.
Ritthisak then managed to block Seree’s car, demanding he exit to discuss the damage.
Seree attempted to flee, prompting Ritthisak to bang on the car’s window several times. Seree then exited his vehicle, punched Ritthisak, who fell, and stomped on him.
Despite his injuries, the rider stood up, got on his bike, and tried to flee. However, Seree, in a fit of rage, pursued him and rammed his car into the bike.
Ritthisak was thrown off his bike and fatally collided with a metal pole supporting a CCTV camera. He died instantly, according to the police.
Saijai Tamboon, 40, Ritthisak’s wife, arrived at the scene with their daughter after learning of the incident, both devastated by their loss. Ritthisak was the main provider for their four children, aged 8 to 18, Ms. Saijai noted.
She demanded severe police action against the driver.
The police have charged Seree with murder and reckless driving resulting in death, holding him in custody for further legal proceedings.