Mercedes-Benz killer pays money to victims' families

A Mercedes-Benz driver involved in a deadly high-speed car crash that killed two postgraduate students in Ayutthaya last year has paid compensation to the victims' families following a court order.

Janepob Veeraporn was reported to have appeared in Ayutthaya Court along with his lawyer yesterday to give money to a relative of Thanthaphat Horsaengchai, who died in the incident.

On March 13, 2016, Mr Janepob was driving at a very high speed when he rammed his Mercedes-Benz into the rear of a Ford carrying the post-graduate students, who were travelling on Phahon Yothin Road in Ayutthaya's Bang Pa-in district.

Thanthaphat, 34, and Kritsana Thaworn, 32, were killed at the scene when their car burst into flames. Both were pursuing master's degrees at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University.

The amount of money paid by Mr Janepob was not revealed but it is believed to be a large sum.

Thanthaphat's relative who received the compensation said the family will donate the money to a Buddhist foundation.

Earlier, Thanthaphat's mother, Kamolrat Horsaengchai filed a motion in court, demanding more than 100 million baht in compensation from Mr Janepob.

Mr Janepob had made no attempt to contact the families of the victims to offer compensation, and prior to yesterday had failed to appear before the court.

It was reported that Kritsana's relative had received compensation from Mr Janepob.

Wichean Chupthaisong, a lawyer for the Horsaengchai family, said the civil case was completed as the defendant had paid compensation to the victims' families.

As for the criminal case, investigators will question five additional witnesses, Mr Wichean said. Mr Janepob has been indicted on seven charges.