Police Seek Arrest Warrant for Monk Following Fatal Hit-and-Run in Buriram
Authorities are pursuing an arrest warrant for a 55-year-old monk accused of striking and killing a 22-year-old woman with his car before abandoning the vehicle at a temple.
According to reports from Khaosod Online, police in Buriram are preparing to issue an arrest warrant for a monk identified as Phra Itthirit, or 'Phra Dao,' following a fatal traffic incident. The 55-year-old monk allegedly struck 22-year-old Rujikorn Sidasamma, who was collecting rice drying on the roadside, and subsequently fled the scene. The vehicle was later discovered abandoned at Wat Si Sawang in Muang district, approximately 10 kilometers from the site of the collision.
The victim, a recent graduate who had been preparing to start a position at the provincial fisheries office, died at the scene. Her family has expressed their intent to pursue the case to the fullest extent of the law.
Regarding the legal proceedings, Pol. Lt. Col. Chaiya Srasom of the Muang Buriram Police Station noted that because the suspect fled, officers were unable to conduct an immediate breathalyzer test. He explained that if the suspect is apprehended later, a blood test may not detect alcohol due to the passage of time, which could complicate charges related to drunk driving. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities search for the suspect. For residents and travelers, this incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with roadside activities in rural areas, particularly where agricultural products are left to dry on public thoroughfares.
