Mae Ping Police detained a 20-year-old man for court custody after he led a group to settle a feud, then drove a pickup truck that struck and killed a female nurse assistant. Friends gathered at the police station in full support, saying the problem will soon be resolved. The suspect remained silent, refusing to answer questions or apologize to the victim.
The case involves Natthiphat Lungchai, 20, also known as Muang, an ethnic Tai Yai from Myanmar, who led his group to seek revenge against the rival "Bang Peak" gang. This sparked a violent clash near a roadside bar in Tha Sala Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chiang Mai, involving firearms and grenade bombs thrown at each other before they scattered. Natthiphat then drove a vehicle that struck Kanokrat Yosthiwong, 24, also called Nong Poppy, a nurse assistant at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, who was riding a motorcycle and passing by. She saw the incident and, while on her way to work, tried to help the injured from the accident but was hit by the vehicle, suffering severe injuries and later dying. The event occurred around midnight on 1 Nov 2016.
After the incident, Mae Ping Police along with investigators from Chiang Mai Provincial Police and Region 5 Police conducted on-site examinations and reviewed CCTV footage from the area and along the route until they arrested all suspects from both gangs, with some surrendering voluntarily.
On 3 Jul 2016, a large group of friends of Natthiphat, the suspect who drove the vehicle hitting Nong Poppy, visited and showed strong support at the detention center, numbering several dozen. Police requested they wait outside Mae Ping Police Station before taking Natthiphat for further questioning, fingerprinting, record creation, and custody at Chiang Mai Provincial Court.
Reporters asked Natthiphat why he drove the pickup truck that hit Nong Poppy, if he admitted to driving, if he wanted to say anything, or if he felt remorse or regret, and if he had a message for the victim's family. Natthiphat remained silent and indifferent, refusing to respond.
As Natthiphat was escorted to the police vehicle, many gang friends shouted encouragement, saying the problem will soon be resolved, "Keep fighting, friend, take it step by step." However, some waiting friends were summoned for questioning in the afternoon and may face charges as well.
Police Colonel Yanapon Pattanachai, superintendent of Mae Ping Police Station, stated that today they would take Natthiphat to Chiang Mai Provincial Court for custody after charging him with reckless driving causing death, hit-and-run, and gang-related offenses.
Yesterday, police charged 20 members of the Bang Peak gang with gang-related offenses. Today, they summoned the Tai Yai youth gang associated with the suspect for further questioning and charges. Police are awaiting completion of questioning both sides before proceeding. They have seized a total of seven vehicles and five motorcycles involved in the incidents as evidence.
