Crackdown On Assassins In Run-up To Election

[grantbkk]

Mon, November 26, 2007 : Last updated 9:04 hours

THE NATION

Gunning for 1,000 assassins

Police face the daunting task of neutralising underworld figures and gunmen for hire who are known for going after political canvassers.

Published on November 26, 2007

The team put together to fight this threat is being lead by National Police deputy chief General Wongkot Maneerin.

The police database reportedly stores biographies on 1,000 suspected gunmen for hire. They are divided into four groups: former policemen or soldiers, serving policemen or soldiers, civilians who sport security officers' uniforms, and others.

General Wongkot Maneerin: He became very active in enforcement during the Thaksin administration when he headed a "War on Drugs" team, elevating himself among the leading "tough cops". His work profile also includes suppression of southern unrest, and together with his team, came back with flying colours.

Lt-Gen Phanuphong Singara na Ayuthaya: An assistant National Police chief, he is the "real deal" who has been called upon many times when crackdowns on influential figures and gunmen were needed. Notably, during the time when General Sombat Amornwiwat supervised the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), Phanuphong was called in to join the missions.

Phanuphong was also involved in the Thaksin administration's drug-trafficking crackdown, and he was also co-opted for police work against the southern unrest. He was assigned as commissioner of Provincial Police Region 5, leading to a decline in serious crime in the northern region.

Lt-Gen Assawin Kwanmuang: The Metropolitan Police commissioner is known for his no-nonsense approach and has a reputation for getting the job done. His work includes the task of hunting down the drug-dealing "Jo Danchang" gang members, who were reportedly seen arrested and handcuffed, but were later found dead in a hut.

Maj-General Kridsada Phankhong-cheun: The deputy Metropolitan Police commissioner's key accomplishments include being part of a team that arrested legendary criminal Kornprasert "Tee Yai" Changkhien and helping solve the case of a daring robbery of Khao Yai visitors in Prachin Buri in 1988.

Maj-General Sompong Khongpetch-sak: The deputy commissioner of Provincial Police Region 6's achievements include the crackdown on southern insurgency and the "War on Drugs". It could be said that his rise in the force was based on cracking down on underworld figures and gunmen for hire.

Maj-General Saritchai Anekwiang: The commander of Forensic Division 4 in Yala is most reknowned for his involvement in helping solve the murder of obstetrician Phassaporn in 2001 by her estranged husband Dr Wisut Boonkasemsanti.

Colonel Preecha Thimamontri: The chief of the Metropo-litan Police's Investigation Centre started a school to produce police investigators and stands out for the arrests of Sathit Setasunthorn and Son Thonglor, known as "Fat and Skinny", infamous for robbing beauty salons around Bangkok. He also tracked down the murderer of popular columnist and administrator Saengchai Sunthornwat.

Maj-General Kamronwit Thoopkrajang: A deputy Provincial Police Region 1 commissioner, is known as a "preventer" of all sorts of crime. He became an investigator along with Assawin and participated in many national cases, including the grisly murder of then-Yasothon governor Preena Lipattanaphan in 2001.

Colonel Prayont Laseu: Regarded as "skilled and experienced", particularly in cases involving underworld figures and gunmen, his arrests of gun-men on the CSD's blacklist are most impressive. Most recently, he was instrumental in solving the murder of Phrae provincial administration organization president Charnchai Silpauaychai.

Colonel Chaiwat Ketworachai: The deputy CSD commander is highly rated as a skilled investigator and a notable case was solving the failed car-bomb attack on former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

THE NATION

I find this article both humorous and appalling at the same time. There is a data base of hitmen and a group of assassin hunters loose on the street supposedly tasked to disrupt or for the benefit somehow of upcoming election process. First, in the 21st century why are there no hitwomen. Many Thai men may have some military training but they are subject to outside influences like drugs, alcohol, women and of course other men which seem to degrade their concentration when it comes to rudimentary tasks. Most find it hard to focus after the age of 20. For example, if there were no Thai women in the construction business there would be no buildings more than one story tall. Thai women seem more up to the task at hand.

I would recommend that if there were a bunch, say 1,000 murders for hire suspects listed somewhere, someone should be trying to pare down that list all year long. I realize I’m just a guest here in the Kingdom and it is just my personal opinion but on the plus side it looks like a great group of assassin hunters has finally been assembled.

Good Luck!

[Scott]

There probably are plenty of hitwomen. They just cry and say their boyfriend made them do it and he goes to jail for life!

Either that, or they find it hard to shoot off the back of a motorcycle!

[kmart]

Well, this crack team of experts sound well-versed in the task of "neutralising underworld figures and gunmen for hire", seeing as they're mainly State assassins themselves...

Go send a murderer to catch a murderer. I like it....

[lazeeboy]

Well, this crack team of experts sound well-versed in the task of "neutralising underworld figures and gunmen for hire", seeing as they're mainly State assassins themselves...

Go send a murderer to catch a murderer. I like it....

[PhilHarries]

Colonel Preecha Thimamontri: The chief of the Metropo-litan Police's Investigation Centre started a school to produce police investigators and stands out for the arrests of Sathit Setasunthorn and Son Thonglor, known as "Fat and Skinny", infamous for robbing beauty salons around Bangkok.

Not exacly Mickey Spillane stuff but I'm sure there is a novel in there somewhere. "It was a sticky night in downtown Bangkok. Fatso, hunched over in a dark corner near the Madame Suwwannee beauty salon lit a cigarette. It was a sign to Skinny that the coast was clear.........." We have a budding Mickey Spillane on TV so I'll let him do the rest as I'll only be a mere imitator and a poor one at that.

A crackdown on assassins eh? What with a crackdown on vote buying November is becoming the month of the long crackdowns.

[londonthai]

commissioner is known for his no-nonsense approach and has a reputation for getting the job done. His work includes the task of hunting down the drug-dealing "Jo Danchang" gang members, who were reportedly seen arrested and handcuffed, but were later found dead in a hut.

was he covering his own a55 or his associates in the politics as well? It's well known that police (and army) do peddle drugs in thailand and accross borders