Policeman fulfills a holy vow

A Kanchanaburi policemen vowed he would make a 20-kilometre run to a sacred Buddha image if he solved a brutal brick-throwing crime. With the confessed brick-thrower in jail, he competed his run on Tuesday.

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The policeman who solved the high-profile brick-hurling case in which a female university student was badly injured has run 20 kilometres from his home to a local temple to fulfill a vow to a sacred Buddha image. Photos by Piyarach Chongcharoen

Policeman fulfills a holy vow

Last month in Kanchanaburi, 18-year-old Jenjira Thongchai, was riding in a pickup truck driven by her boyfriend when a brick crashed through passenger window.

The 18-year-old suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and damage to both her eyes. She is slowly recovering, but still suffers from memory loss and the vision in her left eye is impaired.

She is able to stand and walk with her mother's help and is undergoing physical therapy, says Dr Weerapol Pokpong of Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok where she was transferred after the attack.

Like people throughout the country, Pol Lt Phuree Thianprapakul was shocked by the brutal crime.  As investigator in charge of the case, he made a vow to a sacred Buddha image that if he caught the assailant, he would run the 20 kilometres from his home to the temple where the image is located.

Last Friday, the 43-year-old policeman and his team arrested Wichai Pukheng, 19, at his house in Kanchanaburi’s Tha Muang district. Police say he has admitted to throwing the 1.5-kilogramme brick.

He said he was angry after learning that his girlfriend had gone out with another man, and quarrelled with her when she returned.

Then, he said, he vented his anger by hurling the brick towards the road, without realising that it would hit a vehicle.

Mr Wichai has been charged with attempted murder.

With the case solved, it was time for Pol Lt Phuree to fulfill his vow. Thus, on Tuesday at 6am, he began his 20-kilometre run from his police flat in Tha Maka district to Wat Tra Kham Ain.

He was accompanied by his 40-year-old wife, 15-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter on a motorcycle.

It took the healthy lieutenant three hours and 10 minutes to complete the run. He reached the temple at 9.10am. Neighbours waited to congratulate him, saying they were impressed by Pol Lt Phuree's strong determination and faith.

Adapted from a story by Piyarach Chongcharoen.