BANGKOK, May 12 -- A 28-year-old budding politician in Pathum Thani, a Thai province north of Bangkok, won the local municipal election yesterday, less than a month after being involved in a serious car crash that injured a couple in their 60s.

Smitthiphat Leenawarat whose parents are both veteran politicians, faces multiple charges including reckless driving and assault from the April 16 incident when his brand new BMW sideswiped a pick-up truck carrying 65-year-old Prachak Duangyai and his wife Somsri, 64, in Pathum Thani.

Despite the legal issues, Smitthiphat won the municipal election by over 1,000 votes, The Bangkok Post reported today.

"For over 30 years, I have been serving my fellow people. Today it is proved that Thanyaburi pe...