A hit-and-run car accident in Phitsanulok killed “Khaopan,” a former member of a renowned local school’s marching band. Police tracing CCTV footage found the driver to be a police officer with the rank of Police Lieutenant Colonel, while the vehicle used a fake license plate. The victim’s family fears they will not receive justice due to these factors.
At 08:00 on 6 Sep 2026, at Wat Sutsawas Village 3, Bang Sakae, Ban Khlong Subdistrict, Mueang Phitsanulok District, Phitsanulok Province, the family of Mr. Peeranut Rathawai, also known as Khaopan, age 16, who died after a car hit his motorcycle and fled, gathered to perform merit-making and collect his remains following a three-night funeral rite. There has been no sign of the driver taking responsibility for damages, expressing condolences to the family, or turning himself in to investigators.
Mr. Polkrit Sueaklai, 37, and Ms. Siriporn Sueaklai, 37, stepfather and stepmother of Khaopan, said they still cannot accept the tragedy five days later. The driver remains at large, and learning that the car’s license plate did not match the actual vehicle made them fear justice would not be served. Khaopan was a former member of the marching band at Phutthachinarat School and was studying first-year vocational certificate in architecture at Phitsanulok Technical College. He worked to support himself financially without relying on family. On the day of the accident, he was working at a chicken rice shop and was heading home when the accident occurred. The family was informed late in the morning by the police officer on duty. Relatives were devastated upon hearing the news. Later, they learned from various sources that the driver was a high-ranking police officer, which raised concerns about the case’s fairness, potential substitution of the offender, and intimidation. They also received calls seeking to negotiate responsibility, but no one has come forward to take responsibility.
Mr. Natchanon Chanaburanasak, known as Folk, MP for Phitsanulok District 1 from the People’s Party, has closely followed the case. He said he was contacted by relatives and friends of the victims who said the hit-and-run case had made no progress. He met with Police Colonel Watcharapong Sitirungroj, Superintendent of Mueang Phitsanulok Police Station, urging a speedy investigation. The officer said police reviewed CCTV footage and identified the vehicle, but the license plate was fake. Further investigation showed the car was driven by a Police Lieutenant Colonel “A.”, aged 53, who left the Tawandang nightclub before hitting the motorcycles and fleeing. The family fears the case will be suppressed and damages not compensated, as the victims were teenagers working part-time at chicken rice and barbecue restaurants to support their families. Mr. Natchanon has stepped in to provide legal assistance and monitor the case to seek justice for the victims.
Mr. Natchanon added that since he began assisting, he has received threatening anonymous phone calls. He plans to meet the investigators this morning to file a complaint against those issuing the threats.
Later, a reporter from Phitsanulok inquired with Police Colonel Watcharapong Sitirungroj, Superintendent of Mueang Phitsanulok Police Station, who said investigators found a gray bumper and a license plate reading KTT 6098 Phitsanulok at the scene. Upon checking, this plate belonged to a black Honda Jazz. However, the fleeing vehicle was a Toyota Fortuner, approximately from the year 2006, indicating the license plate was falsified.
Reviewing CCTV footage showed the car collided with two motorcycles, injuring two and killing one. Police traced the footage from the scene back in time and identified the vehicle leaving the Tawandang nightclub before the accident. The driver was identified as Police Lieutenant Colonel “A.”, age 53. Investigators issued a summons for him to face charges. He is reportedly currently hospitalized and is scheduled to surrender to police on 7 Sep 2026.