PATTAYA, Thailand – The mother of a Pattaya footballer has appealed to Chonburi police to expedite the case involving her son’s death, saying seven months have passed without the Chinese suspect being brought into the judicial process despite an arrest warrant being issued. Wipawee, 41, accompanied by her Swedish husband and a representative from the Sai Mai Survive group, went to Chonburi Provincial Police headquarters on 16 September seeking justice and asking authorities to accelerate the investigation. Her husband held a photograph of their son, Tommy, during the appeal.
She said the incident occurred on 20 February on Phatthanakan Road in east Pattaya, in front of Buppha Restaurant. Tommy, a footballer with a well-known Pattaya team, was riding a black Honda PCX motorcycle when a grey Toyota pickup driven by a Chinese national, identified as Wang Xian, allegedly reversed out of the restaurant and struck his motorcycle. Tommy suffered serious injuries and later died at a hospital.
The family reported the case to Nongprue Police Station, and an arrest warrant was subsequently issued for the suspect. However, Wipawee said the suspect had still not been brought into the legal process, despite seven months having passed since the incident. The family has also incurred more than THB 1.2 million in expenses related to the incident. They said they have faced difficulties obtaining reimbursement because some documents require the other party’s signature.
Wipawee asked senior police officers to review the work of investigators at Nongprue Police Station and expedite efforts to locate and arrest the suspect under the existing warrant. Pol. Col. Settha Maklon, superintendent of the Chonburi Provincial Police Investigation Division, received the complaint and listened to the family’s concerns. He said the matter would be submitted to the Chonburi provincial police chief for consideration and instructions to expedite the case in accordance with the law.
The family said their request was simple: they want to see progress in the case and for the person named in the arrest warrant to enter the judicial process after losing their son and waiting months for answers.
