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Published on July 8, 2007

Kanpitak Pachim-sawas yesterday apologised to his seriously injured victims for the first time since he swerved his Mercedes-Benz sedan into a crowd of people on a Bangkok footpath on Wednesday night.

The 20-year-old man expressed his remorse on the same day the court issued an arrested warrant for him on three grave charges - premeditated murder, attempted murder and assault and battery.

The notice was delivered to him at Samitivej Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment for injuries.

The apology came to the public in the form of brief note he wrote to Saengmanee Imsolary - one of the injured - at Camillian Hospital. It was passed to Saengmanee together with a bouquet by Kanpitak's mother Savinee Pakaranang, a former Miss Thailand.

"To Khun Saengmanee and family, I deeply regret the devastation to your lives caused by my action. I apologise, Ham," said the note. Ham is his nickname.

The message became the first time the young man, claimed by his family as having mental problems, had communicated with the victims since he ploughed into them.

Savinee said Kanpitak was worried about them and wanted to say he was sorry directly himself, but he could not get out of his hospital bed due to thrombosis in his legs.

He was wounded as angry bystanders attacked him for killing one person and seriously hurting two with his Benz.

"Ham does want to take action against those who assaulted him. I want everyone to listen to his own words when he gets well. I beg the media to justify him," Savinee said.

Her words contradicted what Kanpitak's father Kan-anek said on Friday, that he would take legal action against those who had damaged the Benz and hurt his son.

Colonel Jirawat Phumijit, superintendent of Thonglor police station, said he would discuss with doctors a good way to detain Kanpitak while under arrest.

Families of victims have gradually reported to police to demand compensation from Kanpitak and take legal action against him.

Representatives of Nam Song Hotel in Laos, where Laotian Saengmanee worked, reported to investigators at Thonglor police station, determined that they wanted to take criminal action against Kanpitak.

Saengmanee is still in serious condition with three broken ribs and a big wound on her back.

Wisit wisitsora-at, director of the Justice Affairs Office under the Justice Ministry, offered assistance to victims and families who had difficulties in taking legal recourse against Kanpitak. He said the Justice Fund under his office could provide financial support.

While being condemned by the public as a "spoiled hi-so brat", Kanpitak has also received moral support from his fan club. A website www.moohamfanclub.th.gs was launched to "protect and give moral support" to Kanpitak. However, the website was open for public comment for just several hours.

At noon, Kanpitak's fan club decided to shut down the site as too many messages censuring Kanpitak were posted.