Net idol charged over 9-car crash (Updated)

The businesswoman allegedly responsible for a major car crash on Ratchadaphisek Road has been charged with reckless driving, but doctors at a Ratchaburi hospital say that she is pyschologically unfit to be questioned at this time.

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Friday update

Net idol charged over crash

Post Reporters

Kritrada Thabthimpol, 28, built a thriving beauty-product business on the internet. Facebook: NAMZOM ZOMY

The businesswoman allegedly responsible for a major car crash on Ratchadaphisek Road this week has been charged with reckless driving, police said.

Kritrada Thabthimpol, 28, a popular internet celebrity under the name Namzom Zomy, has been charged with reckless driving causing damage and injury to others.

The incident, which took place near the Thailand Cultural Centre, involved nine cars. Several people were injured.

After Ms Kritrada was questioned by Huai Khwang police, her mother took her to a hospital in Ratchaburi where she was examined and placed under observation for a possible psychological abnormality. The businesswoman has no prior history of mental illness.

Papinawit Senaplaeng, deputy chief investigator of Huai Khwang police said if a test result confirmed she had taken drugs prior to the crash, she would face an additional charge.

Police found and seized anti-convulsant and anti-depressant pills in her car.

Pol Capt Papinawit added eight other people whose vehicles were struck in the crash have been interviewed by police.

If you are wondering what Kritrada Thabthimpol does to get so many viewers on the internet, here is an example. She was driving her car at the time, not a very safe way to produce a program.

He said Huai Khwang police have contacted the hospital in Ratchaburi requesting permission to question Ms Kritrada.

However, the hospital turned down the request, saying she showed signs of psychological problems and has not recovered fully enough to be questioned.

The hospital said Ms Kritrada is not in full control of her faculties and doctors were afraid questioning would aggravate her condition, according to Pol Capt Papinawit.

Thursday's story

Net idol 'had no mental treatment' before crash

Post Reporters

A young businesswoman responsible for triggering a major car crash on Ratchadaphisek Road on Tuesday has no history of psychological treatment, according to police.

A net idol, Kritrada Thabthimpol, 28, known on the internet and YouTube as Namzom Zomy, was driving her BMW sedan (BMW 3 Series Coupe) when she appeared to lose control at the wheel and crashed into other cars during evening rush hour on Tuesday.

Motorist Suppa-at Kulasing, 36, told police Ms Kritrada's vehicle rear-ended his Honda Civic sedan with such force that his car crashed into a taxi and another Honda vehicle in front of him.

Ms Kritrada continued to drive her car and side-swiped and crashed into several other cars near the entrance of the Thailand Cultural Centre's subway station, he said.

Ms Kritrada's BMW finally came to rest at kerbside near the Thailand Cultural Centre, leaving a major string of crashes and injuries behind.

Police said the crash involved nine vehicles and several people were injured.

Pol Capt Papinawit Senaplaeng, deputy chief investigator of Huai Khwang police, said Ms Kritrada has no history of psychological treatment although she had been on an anti-depressant medication prescribed by a hospital in Bangkok.

He added police found anti-depressant pills inside Ms Kritrada's car.

The medication's side-effects include drowsiness and it was possible the woman had taken some pills before driving.

Police also found a number of brand-name bags and many gold necklaces in the car.

A police source said the woman co-owns a successful beauty product business with her friends. However, her friends recently withdrew their shares in the multi-million-baht business, putting Ms Kritrada under heavy stress.

Pol Capt Papinawit said the woman was taken to Huai Khwang police station where she refused to speak during questioning.

She was constantly praying to a deity before excusing herself to go to the toilet.

Ms Kritrada was away too long, prompting the police to check on her. She was found unconscious in the toilet, according to the deputy chief investigator.

She was later referred to a hospital in the Saphan Khwai area for a check-up to see if she had used illicit drugs or was under the influence of alcohol.

But before the hospital was due to release its test result, her mother took the businesswoman to a hospital in Ratchaburi where she was examined for any psychological abnormality.

Huai Khwang police will travel to the Ratchaburi hospital to question her.

So far, police have not charged Ms Kritrada.

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