Thailand’s ‘Michael Jackson’ Bows in Sorrow over Fatal Road Crash

A High-Profile Thai Pop Singer’s Sorrowful Apology After Fatal Road Crash

A high-profile Thai pop singer, Manasawin Nantasen, was seen kneeling on the road and bowing in apology after a car accident in which he was involved in, leading to the death of a 28-year-old woman and the critical injury of her 21-year-old brother.

A Rethink on Impunity in Thailand

His actions, known as Tik Shiro, took a knee and prayed at the scene, apologizing to the victims and their families, in a stark contrast to some previous incidents in the country where the rich and powerful have sometimes enjoyed impunity for their alleged actions.

A serial offender’s worst mistake

Manasawin, 63, faces a reckless driving charge, with a maximum penalty on conviction of 10 years’ jail. Police expect him to cooperate with investigations. He was driving his Hyundai people-carrier across a bridge in Bangkok when he hit a stationary motorbike, killing a 28-year-old woman, Tianporn, and knocking her brother, Chakkraphat, 21, off the structure, leaving him critically injured, police said.

Tragedy and Sympathy

Footage on social media showed the singer on his knees at the scene, apologizing to the victims and their families.

“Throughout my life, I never imagined committing such an incident,” he said. “It should not have happened,” he added, bowing deeply.

Compensation and Cooperation

Local media reports said the celebrity would pay 100,000 baht (approximately $3,000) for Tianporn’s funeral expenses and cover Chakkraphat’s medical costs.

A Comparative Look

In contrast, the heir to the Red Bull fortune, Vorayuth Yoovidhya, ploughed his Ferrari into a policeman in a wealthy Bangkok neighborhood in 2012, killing him on the spot before fleeing the scene. A son of Pheu Thai MP Chalerm Yubamrung allegedly shot a man in a crowded Bangkok nightclub after a dispute in 2000, leaving him in critical condition, but was later acquitted on grounds of weak evidence.

Investigation and Charges

Investigators are looking into whether Manasawin was driving under the influence of alcohol, police said. “Manasawin is at the hospital for chest pain, so after that he will be brought in for interrogation,” local police chief Naren Kruengsanook told AFP, adding he was expected to cooperate with legal procedures.

Thailand’s Poor Road Safety Record

Thailand has one of the worst traffic safety records in the world, with some 20,000 people killed on the country’s roads each year, according to the World Health Organization.

Conclusion

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless driving and the need for improved road safety measures in Thailand. It is crucial for the singer to cooperate with authorities and for the government to ensure accountability and justice for the victims and their families.

FAQs

* What happened in the road crash?
Manasawin Nantasen’s car hit a stationary motorbike, killing a 28-year-old woman and critically injuring her 21-year-old brother.
* Why is Manasawin facing charges?
He is accused of reckless driving, with a maximum penalty of 10 years’ jail.
* How much will Manasawin pay for the funeral and medical expenses?
He will pay 100,000 baht (approximately $3,000) for the funeral expenses and cover the medical costs of the injured person.