The convict, Mr Krittidet Rawengwan, 36-year old headman of Village 15 of Tambon Dongling, was also ordered by the court to pay 2.3 million baht in compensation to the family of the 18-year old victim, Ms Rudeewan Polprasit.
The incident took place in December, 2015 on a rural road in Tambon Dongling. According to a police report, an assailant, who was later identified as Krittidet, was riding on his motorcycle when he kicked the motorbike driven by Ms Rudeewan, a student of Rongkham school in Rongkham district, until she lost control and fell on the road. The assailant then beat her up and tried to rape her.
The victim was later found by passers-by who rushed her to the district hospital. She was unconscious and put in the intensive care unit until she died on December 24, 2015.
After an intensive investigation and mistaken arrests, police managed to arrest Krittident five months later.
The death penalty is a contentious and very emotive issue which will not be debated here. However, for a young girl not to be safe on a public highway and for her to lose her life in such horrific circumstances can only add weight to supporters of the death penalty.
(Source:English News ThaiPBS)