Kantipak gets 10 years for car attack, out on bail

Kanpitak Pachimsawas was also ordered to pay about Bt3million compensation to three of his victims.

Two years ago, his luxury vehicle ran over many victims. Of them, one died and two others received serious injuries.

Kanpitak, now 22, flew into a road rage after a bus cut in front his sedan. The enraged man then forced the bus to stop, hit the bus driver with a rock and then drove his car into a crowded bus stop.

"There is no solid evidence to back up the defendant's claim that his mentalhealth problem led him into this violent action," the court said yesterday, "The defendant com¬mitted the crimes because he has been spoiled".

Kanpitak is the son of businessman Kananek Pachimsawas and former beauty queen Savinee Pakaranang.

His family has already paid some compensation to some of his victims.

The compensation payout and Kanpitak's confession provided grounds for the court to commute his sentence from 15 years and two months in jail.

The defendant was convicted of premediated murder, attempted murder and injuring other people.

The court also ordered Kanpitak to pay Bt2,158,000 compensation to Thongkham Luangsaeng, whose daughter died at the hands of Kanpitak.

According to the court order, Kanpitak must also pay a combined Bt900,000 compensation to two seriouslyinjured victims. One of them will get Bt800,000.

The compensation amount shall be subjected to 7.5percent interest until the payment is made.

Upon hearing the verdict, Kananek said his son would appeal against the verdict. Currently, the young man has already been released on Bt5million bail.

"My son is totally repentant," the father said, adding that his family had already paid a lot of compensation to the victims in the case.

However, the husband of an injured victim felt the Bt800,000 compensation was in fact very small when compared with the huge grief suffered by his family.

His wife's right leg was severely broken. She now walks with an uneven gait.

During the past two years, she lost a monthly income of nearly Bt20,000 because her injuries included wounds on her back and arms that did not allow her to work.

"She still needs regular physical therapy. But she rushed back to work earlier this month when she felt she was strong enough. We have two children together. We have to earn money to support them," the husband said.

The man, who asked that his name be withheld, said he would consult a lawyer about what to do next.

"From the very beginning, we believed my wife should get Bt2million compensation," he said.