Killed in his prime

It could happen to anyone. You are on your way home from work, stop at a gas station and then feel the need for a toilet break. Just a few routine steps, nothing out of the ordinary.

Rapipong Suwanwarangkun, 31, did just that on Tuesday night. And lost his life.

Death by electrocution

The electrocution of the young Thammasat university lecturer at a PTT petrol station in Bangkok's Phya Thai district on Tuesday night has left his pregnant wife griefstricken.

Tharinee Nampit, 31, a lecturer at Kasetsart University, said that once her husband's funeral was over, she would consult her family about filing a case to seek compensation.

Fell to the ground

A PTT member of staff at the Vibhavadi Road petrol station said he saw Rapipong walk back to his parked car, close to where an air pump had just been blown over by high winds. On seeing Rapipong fall to the ground, staff say they cut the electric circuit then went to his aid.

"I want to know why peo¬ple were so slow to help my husband," Tharinee said. "Apparently it took a long time to cut the electrical circuit and get an ambulance on the scene."

"The compensation money can never make up for his loss. He was the future of our family."

After collecting his body from the Institute of Forensic Medicine, a tearful Tharinee said they had been married on May 10 and she was three months pregnant.

A wife's tragedy

He was making his way home after attending a seminar in Pattaya on Tuesday evening, she added.

"He invited me to go to Pattaya with him, but I refused as I had morning sickness. I should have gone so I could have died with him. I don't want to be left in this pain."

PTT bosses have assigned staff to inspect all its petrol stations nationwide.

Assistant managing director Wittaya Wangjitrarak insisted that no accident like it had ever happened at a PTT stations, but that the installing of air pumps would be improved.

Wittaya said he was stumped over why the automatic circuit breaker at the petrol station had failed to work. "PTT has been prompt to offer Rapipong's relatives assistance," he added.

Rapipong's body is at Bangkok's Wat Sameinnaree awaiting a funeral ceremony then cremation on Saturday.