The Metropolitan Police Commissioner has ordered a committee to investigate the conduct of police and rescue personnel regarding a woman who crashed her motorcycle and died at a police station. Meanwhile, the National Police Chief has instructed a review to extract lessons for preventing such losses.
The family of Ms. Waritsara, aged 21, who died, appealed for justice via the 'Saimae Must Survive' page. Ms. Waritsara had a motorcycle accident on Lat Phrao Road in the early hours of 20 Feb 2025 GMT+7 during heavy rain. Rescue personnel brought her to Phahonyothin Police Station instead of a hospital because she appeared intoxicated. After being left there, she suffered seizures and died at the station, but the case has stalled.Read more: Phahonyothin Police Station chief orders disciplinary inquiry into police after woman’s motorcycle accident; rescue team assumed intoxication, resulting in death at the police station.)
At 14:00 today (9 Mar 2026 GMT+7) at the Metropolitan Police Headquarters, Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, provided an update, first expressing condolences to the deceased’s family. He said initial facts from police reports and media indicate that on 20 Feb 2025 GMT+7, a motorcycle crash was reported on Lat Phrao Road. Officers from Phahonyothin Police Station and rescue personnel responded and found the victim had only abrasions and no external wounds. They also noted she appeared intoxicated and lacked identification. She was taken to the police station and assisted to sit in the waiting area.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam said that while at the station, the victim was able to communicate, and police assessed that she was not in immediate danger, allowing her to rest while officers checked vehicle registration and tried to contact her relatives. However, her condition deteriorated, and she became unresponsive. Rescue workers were called, who found a weak pulse and performed CPR, but she ultimately died.
"I have ordered the 2nd Metropolitan Police Division Commander to form a committee to investigate whether police and rescue personnel followed proper procedures in assisting the patient. This includes checking for any delays, misjudgments, or negligence. Experts will be invited to verify these facts. Also, the case files from the family’s complaint against police and rescue personnel at Phahonyothin Police Station will be consolidated under the 2nd Metropolitan Police Division, which will lead a full investigation and interview all involved parties—victim’s family, rescue workers, and police officers present—to address the family’s concerns about case delays," the Metropolitan Police Commissioner said.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam added that he has instructed the 2nd Metropolitan Police Division Commander to conduct all matters thoroughly and carefully, including providing support and compensation to the victim’s family to ensure fairness for them as well as for the rescue workers and police involved. The case bears similarities to an incident at Bang Pa-In Police Station in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, although that case did not result in death.
The National Police Chief has expressed concern about reviewing police operational procedures, instructing that this incident be analyzed to extract lessons and develop police protocols going forward. Rescue foundations will be invited to discuss collaborative approaches with police, alongside ensuring support and justice for affected families and all involved parties.
"The most important point is to prevent future losses under police responsibility. In the past, intoxicated, agitated, or mentally disturbed individuals were usually taken to police stations. Going forward, there may be a policy to take such cases to hospitals first for medical examination to check for injuries or underlying conditions before police procedures begin. However, this issue requires further detailed discussion to reach a conclusive decision."