Right of way for the rich

A serious accident involving a member of a powerful political clan in Pathum Thani and an elderly couple riding in a pickup truck on Bangkok’s eastern outer ring road has triggered public anxiety about whether justice will prevail.

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People’s concerns are not unfounded.

The driver of the other vehicle, a sedan, was identified as Mr Smithipat Lertsawat, son of Thanyaburi ex-mayor Somjate and leader of a Phalang Thai Party MP.

The 28-year-old is seeking a seat on the Thanyaburi municipal council in next month’s elections, together with other members of the family, including his father.

When reporting the case to the police, Mr Smithipat blamed the 65-year-old truck driver, Prachak Phunyayai, for the accident that resulted in the truck smashing into a barrier just minutes after leaving a toll booth on the morning of April 16.

Fired up by anger, Mr Smithipat said he gave chase to the other vehicle, pursuing the older driver at road-sweeping in front of his truck, clipping its front on the offside.