NONTHABURI, Thailand – A recent heated altercation between a 26-year-old delivery rider, Sahapap Morawan, and a police officer led to a physical confrontation on October 2. The rider punched the officer, Sgt. Virodom Najjaibutr, 30, who serves as a guard in the Protection Unit 3, Division 2, of the Royal Thai Police. The incident also involved damage to the officer’s police vehicle, specifically the side mirror.
The confrontation occurred at 4:00 PM near the Prachachuen intersection bridge when Sgt. Virodom was escorting a convoy of eight school buses from Satri Nonthaburi School, returning from a scout camp in Saraburi. The rider misunderstood the situation, believing the police were blocking the left lane unnecessarily. As a result, Sahapap lost control of his motorcycle, colliding with another motorbike, leading to the altercation.
Following the incident, on October 9, Sahapap was charged with assault and causing property damage. After admitting to the charges, the Nonthaburi Municipal Court sentenced him to a THB 2,000 fine and a one-year suspended jail term. In addition, the court ordered him to compensate Sgt. Virodom for the damages caused to his police vehicle, amounting to THB 40,000, which is to be paid in monthly installments of THB 5,000.
In a separate civil settlement, Sgt. Virodom claimed an additional THB 5,000 for the damage to the side mirror, which Sahapap agreed to pay after mediation with the investigating officer.
