Bangkok: The Chumphon Provincial Court sentenced a 30-year-old woman to four years and seven months in prison for a fatal crash involving a luxury car that resulted in the deaths of a mother and her three children. The defendant’s confession led to a reduction in her original sentence of nine years and two months. She was also fined 500 baht, and her vehicle was confiscated. In addition, the court ordered her to pay 5.5 million baht in compensation in the civil case. Despite the prison sentence, the court granted her temporary release, requiring her to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet and prohibiting her from leaving the country.
According to Thai News Agency, the incident occurred on May 27, 2024, when the woman crashed her luxury car into a motorcycle carrying a mother and her three children in Tak Daed Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chumphon Province. The crash, which happened as the mother was picking up her children from tutoring, resulted in the immediate deaths of all three victims. Investigations revealed that the car was traveling at 207 kilometers per hour at the time of the collision, as evidenced by footage from the driver’s mobile phone. The driver initially disappeared from the scene, later claiming she was searching for a cat.
On July 22, 2025, Attorney Kaew, also known as Dr. Monchai Jongkrairatnakul, announced that the defendant had changed her statement in court to plead guilty as charged, bringing the criminal case to a close. The court’s decision to reduce her sentence followed her confession.
In the civil case, the defendant agreed to compensate the victims’ family with a total of 5.5 million baht. She deposited 300,000 baht at the court on the day of the verdict, with an additional 200,000 baht scheduled for payment by the end of October 2025. The remaining 5 million baht will be paid in installments over an eight-year period. The insurance company already paid 4.5 million baht to the co-plaintiff.
The court’s investigation determined that the defendant committed multiple offenses, including driving under the influence of methamphetamine and other intoxicants, resulting in death. Despite the severity of the offenses, the court noted her partial compensation of 650,000 baht to the victims’ family and her willingness to enter a compromise agreement to pay the remaining damages. This acknowledgment of wrongdoing influenced the court’s determination of her punishment.
Following the verdict, the court allowed the defendant’s request for temporary release pending appeal. She was required to wear an electronic tracking device and post a 150,000 baht bail. The court stipulated that she must not leave the country and must notify the court of any change in residence. With these conditions met, the defendant was granted temporary release and is now eligible to appeal the sentencing.