Still unable to come to terms with it. “Father of little Toemfan” He recounted the moment a drunk driver crashed into his wife and child, saying he is currently in a fragile mental state and does not wish to meet the offender despite attempts at contact.
On 10 June 2026, reporters reported that at Wat Sri Koet in Hua Wiang subdistrict, Mueang district, Lampang province, the family and relatives brought the body of little Toemfan, a 2-year-old boy who was a victim of a drunk-driving accident involving an assistant village headman, to the temple to hold a funeral ceremony.
Today, family and relatives gathered to prepare for the ceremony. As soon as the boy’s body arrived at the temple, monks led the ceremonial thread in front of the body before placing it in the prepared refrigerated coffin. During this, Toemfan’s father tapped the coffin, telling his son to rest in peace, and lit incense before the body amid sorrow. A one-night prayer vigil will be held before keeping the body until the mother, May, recovers enough to attend the cremation.
Meanwhile, Kruba Kaew, the abbot of Wat Pa Duang Kaew Photiyan, a renowned spiritual teacher in Lampang province and the temple where Toemfan’s parents prayed for a child due to difficulties conceiving, performed a water-pouring ceremony at the accident site to help Toemfan’s spirit rest in peace.
Kruba Kaew said that every year on Toemfan’s birthday, the family would bring him to the temple to tie a protective thread around his wrist. Toemfan was at a charming and lovable age, adored by everyone, but tragically his life ended at just 2 years old because of a drunk driver. He urged this to serve as a warning, especially to those who drive under the influence, as it not only causes injury or death but also deeply wounds families. He hopes Toemfan will be the last victim of such an incident.
Mr. Phuwanart Chomphupan, 58, father of Toemfan, revealed that he and his wife had difficulty conceiving, so they prayed for a child at Wat Duang Kaew Photiyan in Mueang Pan district, Lampang. He vowed to quit smoking for three years, and miraculously they had a son. Their son had just turned 2 years old on 28 May 2026 and they recently took him to Chiang Mai Zoo.
On the day of the accident, the father had taken his car for repairs. While waiting, his wife and son went to a coffee shop near the accident site. When the repair was finished, he went to pick them up. A white sedan was parked in front of the coffee shop. As he stepped outside holding a cup of coffee, the car suddenly sped forward and hit them. When he regained composure, he saw his wife lying face down unconscious on the ground. When she regained consciousness, he searched for his son and found him also face down and unconscious near the car’s tire. He quickly picked him up, noting at that moment the child had no visible injuries, but later learned from the forensic doctor that his intestines had ruptured.
The offender has contacted the family, but the father said he is still mentally devastated and cannot accept what happened, so he does not wish to meet the offender at this time.
Pol. Col. Khomsan Bamrungyot, superintendent of Mueang Lampang Police Station, said the investigation is ongoing and they are preparing charges against the offender for reckless driving causing death, property damage, injury, and drunk driving.
Additional charges may be added pending further investigation. Normally, after charges are filed, the case is forwarded to court. In this case, they must wait for the victim’s family to be ready, as they are organizing the child’s funeral and the wife is still hospitalized. The police affirm they will ensure justice for both parties.
Mr. Thanarat Saitep, district chief of Mueang Lampang, said that initially a committee has been formed to investigate the misconduct and failure to follow the law related to drunk driving causing serious injury and death. The committee will summon the assistant village headman involved for questioning tomorrow and aims to complete the investigation and gather evidence by Friday, 12 June 2026, to finalize recommendations for disciplinary action.
The district chief will then report the investigation results to the provincial governor, who has the authority under Section 14(7) of the Local Administration Act 1914 to dismiss the assistant village headman. The dismissal will take effect on the date the governor issues the order, ending the monthly allowance of 8,000 baht from that date.