"Oreo Gang" member denies drunk driving after accident with police officer in Bangkok

A 20-year-old student confessed to being part of the "Oreo Gang" after a white Mitsubishi Xpander struck a police officer at an alcohol checkpoint in Bangkok. He denied consuming alcohol before the accident, which occurred on May 22. The incident happened around 1:30 AM on Bang Na-Trat Road, where 59-year-old Police Lieutenant Colonel Taran Piromditcharoen sustained serious injuries while on duty at the checkpoint. The driver, Tanabat, and the passenger, identified as Akarawin, both 20-year-old students from Chiang Rai, were arrested at the scene. Officers discovered a Glock 19 pistol with 24 rounds of ammunition in the spare tire compartment. Tanabat faces charges of possessing a firearm and ammunition without permission, carrying a weapon in public without lawful reason, and causing serious injury through negligence. Akarawin faces charges of possessing a firearm and carrying a weapon in public without lawful reason. Investigators determined that Akarawin had previously been involved in five cases related to assault and firearm possession and is linked to the "Oreo Gang," a youth group implicated in violent incidents and weapon possession in early 2025. At 3:00 PM, Bang Na district police officers detained Akarawin for questioning. Initially, he refused to speak with media representatives, but later confirmed that he is still a member of the "Oreo Gang." He stated that they had spent the evening at a nightclub in the Rangsit area and were heading home when the accident occurred, insisting that none of them had consumed alcohol. When asked if dizziness from medication played a role, Akarawin responded directly, "No, it did not." For readers: Always observe traffic rules in Thailand, especially at night, and remember that drunk driving is strictly penalized.