2 Arrest Warrants Issued In Sondhi Assassination Attempt

[sriracha john]

Breaking News >

2 arrested for assassination bid

BANGKOK- A THAI court on Tuesday issued arrest warrants for an army officer and a policeman as suspects in an assassination attempt on a leading political activist, a court official said.

The pair, both of junior rank, will face police questioning over alleged involvement in the attack on Sondhi Limthongkul, founder of the 'Yellow Shirts' protest movement, on April 17.

The warrants follow the discovery of a pick-up truck earlier Tuesday by police, which is believed to have been involved in the shooting.

'A court approved arrest warrants against the two suspects this afternoon, after a request by police,' the court official told AFP.

Media mogul Sondhi, his driver and his aide were wounded when gunmen thought to be riding in two pick-up trucks sprayed his car with automatic gunfire in Bangkok. Sondhi needed an operation to remove a bullet fragment from his skull.

His movement, the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), said it believed 'men in uniform' were to blame following the attack.

Thailand's army chief General Anupong Paojinda later admitted that three of the bullets used came from a military unit.

Protests by Mr Sondhi's royalist PAD led to the coup in 2006 which toppled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who is supported by rival 'Red Shirts'.

The PAD took to the streets again in 2008 to oppose governments led by Thaksin's allies, in a campaign that peaked with a crippling airport blockade in Bangkok in late November-early December.

The group recently formed a political party, the New Politics Party, but Mr Sondhi is not on the executive.

- AFP / Breaking News 2 minutes ago

Edited July 17, 2009 by sabaijai

[sriracha john]

Breaking News >

2 arrested for assassination bid

The warrants follow the discovery of a pick-up truck earlier Tuesday by police, which is believed to have been involved in the shooting.

Forensic officials inspect a pickup which was suspected to be used in the attack on anti-Thaksin core leader Sondhi Limthongkul in late April.

The Nation / 2009-07-14

[sriracha john]

2 arrest warrants for Sondhi ambush

Police have obtained arrest warrants for a soldier and a policeman suspected of involvement in the attempted murder of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leader Sondhi Limthongkul. The Criminal Court issued the warrants on Tuesday on the application of police investigators, police sources said.

The suspects are a non-commissioned army officer, known only by his first name Panya, attached to the Special Warfare Centre in Lopburi, and a non-commissioned police officer, identified only as Wut, attached to the Narcotics Suppression Division.

The arrest warrant was issued after a Toyota Vigo pick-up truck- suspected to have been used in the attack on a van taking Mr Sondhi to work at Bang Khunphrom intersection in Bangkok on April 17 was found at a military camp in Lopburi. It was brought to Bangkok for forensic examination on Monday. The vehicle belonged to a woman named

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/14...-in-sondhi-case

-- Bangkok Post 2009-07-14

[LaoPo]

2 arrested for assassination bid

BANGKOK- A THAI court on Tuesday issued arrest warrants for an army officer and a policeman as suspects in an assassination attempt on a leading political activist, a court official said.

Hmmm...I wonder how many suspect/shooters were involved....

Sondhi Limthongkul - May 4, 2009:

"my sources tell me four of the gunmen have already been silenced...(got) rid of."

He said: "The Thai military in a sense operates very much like the Cosa Nostra organisation." The Cosa Nostra is the Sicilian mafia."

Source: http://blogs.straitstimes.com/2009/5/3/red...sire-for-change

Isn't it a kind of cosy news every day in Thailand ?

LaoPo

[sriracha john]

Pick-up Seized in Case of PAD Leader's Assassination Attempt

Investigators responsible for the attempted murder case of People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul held an urgent meeting today after the discovery of a pick-up truck believed to be used in the crime.

A pick-up truck with license plate of Lopburi 1474 was brought from a hotel in Bangkok's Thonburi area to the Traffic Police Bureau for investigation.

Inside the truck, investigators found a water bottle, video compact discs, and a government civil service card of Rassamee Mekchai. They also collected fingerprints. Further forensic examination of the truck is in progress.

Ten officials from the Army's Special Warfare Unit in Lopburi reportedly visited the Traffic Police Bureau after the vehicle was brought in.

Reports have surfaced that police have issued two arrest warrants in this case, one for a non-commissioned soldier of the Army's Special Warfare Unit in Lopburi named Panya and the other for a low-ranking policeman of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau named Wut.

Investigators said eyewitnesses confirmed the identities of the suspects and their roles in the assassination attempt.

No high-ranking officers have come out to comment while the chief investigator for the case, Police Lieutenant-General Thani Somboonsap, has held a meeting with related officials regarding the latest development.

He promises to give details on the case soon.

-- Tan Network 2009-07-14

[LaoPo]

Inside the truck, investigators found a water bottle, video compact discs, and a government civil service card of Rassamee Mekchai. They also collected fingerprints. Further forensic examination of the truck is in progress.

Wow....thats very suspicious

It's about time they call CSI....I'm sure they will find more suspects in no time.

I've seen investigators, taking fingerprints after a burglary in our house in Samui...very impressive but they didn't find the suspects who committed the crime..unfortunately...

But it certainly LOOKS impressive.

LaoPo

[sriracha john]

2 arrest warrants issued for attempted murder of Mr Sondhi

BANGKOK, 14 July 2009 (NNT) - The Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants against one soldier and one policeman, who were allegedly involved in the attempted assassination of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) core-figure Sondhi Limthongkul.

The two suspects, identified as a non-commissioned army officer, known as Panya, attached to the Special Warfare Centre in Lopburi, and a non-commissioned police officer, alias Wut, attached to the Narcotics Suppression Division.

The issuance of arrest warrants came after a Toyota Vigo pick-up truck-owned by a Lopburi resident Ms. Rassami Mekchai had allegedly been in connection with the murder attempt of the PAD core-leader according to eyewitnesses.

Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Thanee Somboonsab was scheduled to report the case to the Prime Minister at 4 pm today.

-- NNT 2009-07-14

[sriracha john]

Two arrest warrants sought

Police name a police officer and soldier as top suspects in case

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday that the government would be very serious about handling the assassination attempt on Sondhi Limthongkul and that the police were preparing to issue arrest warrants for two suspected gunmen - a non-commissioned police officer and a non-commissioned military man.

Abhisit made the comment after rumours started doing rounds that deputy police chief General Thanee Somboonsab, the chief investigator, had instructed his subordinates to seek court approval for issuing arrest warrants for two suspects believed to be involved in the attempt on Sondhi's life.

The first suspect is Pol Corporal Weerawut Mungsanti, a non-commissioned officer under the jurisdiction of the Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau, who currently works under Justice Ministry's Special Investigation Department's deputy director general Pol Colonel Dussadee Arayawuthi.

The second man is identified only as Panya, a non-commissioned military official under the jurisdiction of the Lop Buri-based special warfare centre.

Abhisit said that when Thanee reports to him, he would ask if any obstacles had be put in front of him as far as solving the case went. Thanee met the PM yesterday afternoon at Government House but refused to answer any questions.

A source said investigators had earlier questioned witnesses, who had incriminated the two suspects for opening fire at Sondhi's car. The source added that since the case involved a police officer, the two suspects would be tried in ordinary court, not a military one.

A dark purple pick-up truck with a Lop Buri licence plate numbered 1474, seen parked at a hotel in Thon Buri area before the attack, was found to be owned by 27-year-old Rassami Mekchai, a resident of Lop Buri's Muang district.

When the vehicle was brought to the Traffic Police Division at 11am, Scientific Crime Detection officials found a water bottle and an official ID card carrying the name Rassami Mekchai inside. They also dusted the pick-up for fingerprints.

At noon, 10 military officials from the Lop Buri-based special warfare centre came to the Traffic Police Division after hearing that police had confiscated the pick-up truck. However, no senior police officials give the media any details about the case, either before or after the chief investigator met his team after the pick-up was checked.

Army Chief General Anupong Paochinda said he had not been given details about the arrest warrants for the non-commissioned military suspect.

He said the military was ready to help the police deal with the case according to law. He added that he had not issued any special instructions for Lt-General Puchong

Ratanaworaron, chief of the Special Operations Command, to follow when arresting the soldier. He said if the police sought any cooperation from the military about the case, they must comply with the law.

-- The Nation 2009-07-15

[webfact]

Wow... that went rather fast. Too fast IMHO.

Edited July 15, 2009 by webfact

[sriracha john]

The second man is identified only as Panya, a non-commissioned military official under the jurisdiction of the Lop Buri-based special warfare centre.

A dark purple pick-up truck with a Lop Buri licence plate numbered 1474, seen parked at a hotel in Thon Buri area before the attack, was found to be owned by 27-year-old Rassami Mekchai, a resident of Lopburi's Muang district.

Rassami and Panya and Rassami's pickup truck

News article (in Thai) from Khao Sod newspaper:

http://www.matichon.co.th/khaosod/view_new...HdOeTB4TlE9PQ==

[sriracha john]

Rassami Mekchai

Sondhi Limthongkul's vehicle from the time of the shooting in April

News article (in Thai) from Manager Online

http://www.manager.co.th/Crime/ViewNews.as...D=9520000079576

[sriracha john]

Thanee: More arrests could be made

Warrants out for suspects in Sondhi hit

Arrest warrants have been issued for two suspected gunmen for their alleged involvement in the attempted assassination of People's Alliance for Democracy core leader Sondhi Limthongkul. The Criminal Court yesterday approved arrest warrants for a non-commissioned soldier identified only as Panya, attached to the Lopburi-based Special Warfare Centre and Weerawut Mungsanti of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau , a police source said.

The investigators issued arrest warrants due to the testimonies of witnesses who confirmed that the two suspects were involved in the shooting of Mr Sondhi on April 17, the source said. Deputy National Police Chief Police General Thanee Somboonsap, who is the lead investigator on the case, said more suspects could be arrested in connection with the shooting.

On April 17, gunmen with semi-automatic weapons opened fire at the car in which Mr Sondhi was travelling to the ASTV station to host his morning talk show.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/2022...s-in-sondhi-hit

-- Bangkok Post 2009-07-15

[dttk0009]

They're just the fall guys.

[hammered]

The most interesting thing will be what Sondhi says.

[Nick100]

The most interesting thing will be what Sondhi says.

..."Did you miss me?"

[sriracha john]

Cooperation pledged for solving the Sondhi shooting case: Defence Minister

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan on Wednesday promised a full cooperation from the military to assist police in solving the assassination attempt against People's Alliance for Democracy co-leader Sondhi Limthongkul in April.

Prawit reminded parties concern, however, not to jump to a conclusion about the military's involvement in the crime.

"Please allow the police work to proceed in accordance with evidence and don't rush to speculate on the mastermind," he said in reference to a suspicion that the top brass might be involved.

He said he suspected the attempt on Sondhi's life was an individual action not linking to the military as an institution.

He was reacting to two warrants of arrest for two non-commissioned officers, a policeman from the drug suppression unit but assigned to work in the Department of Special Investigation and a soldier from the Special Warfare Command in Lop Buri.

He ruled out the concern that the Sondhi case might be fixed to help the mastermind eluding punishment. There will be no military intervention in the police work, he said.

-- The Nation 2009-07-15

[sriracha john]

More warrants likely in Sondhi case

Warrants will be sought for the arrest of more suspects in the attempted assassination of People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul, Deputy Police Chief Pol Gen Thanee Somboonsap said on Wednesday. Pol Gen Thanee, head of police investigation team, said evidence was being gathered against several more suspects.

On Tuesday, arrest warrants were issued for an army NCO identified only as Panya attached to the Special Welfare Centre in Lop Buri province, and Pol Cpl Weerawut Mungsanti of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, who was on temporary assignment to the Department of Special Investigation.

Pol Gen Thanee said he believed Rassami Mekchai, 27, a temporary employee at the Special Warfare Centre, and owner of the Toyota Vigo pick-up truck suspected to have been used in the attack on Mr Sondhi's van in Bangkok on April 17, was unlikely to be involved in the case. Police would try to find out who used the vehicle for the attack.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/14...-in-sondhi-case

-- Bangkok Post 2009-07-15

Edited July 15, 2009 by sriracha john

[somchaismith]

Breaking News >

2 arrested for assassination bid

Reflecting on these major arrests, where can I find the details?

[jayjayjayjay]

The most interesting thing will be what Sondhi says.

Nobody really cares what Sondhi has to say, thankfully PAD will be a political party soon, thus his imminent guru status with wane!

[LaoPo]

The most interesting thing will be what Sondhi says.

Sondhi spoke already:

Sondhi Limthongkul - May 4, 2009:

"my sources tell me four of the gunmen have already been silenced...(got) rid of."

He said: "The Thai military in a sense operates very much like the Cosa Nostra organisation." The Cosa Nostra is the Sicilian mafia."

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/2-Men-Arrest...28#entry2871028

LaoPo

[webfact]

SONDHI PROBE

Police leaked secrets, top cop admits

By The Nation

Published on July 16, 2009

Suspects urged to surrender 'before you are killed'

The police inquiry into the assassination attempt on media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul was delayed because insiders had revealed secret details, deputy national police chief General Thanee Somboonsap said yesterday.

"This case could have been wrapped up sooner but has been slow because some police do not have the spirit of being law enforcers. Some act as whistleblowers and leak secrets. Some are afraid to work after being threatened. So we ended up having few investigators working on the case," Thanee said.

Police had launched a manhunt for two suspected gunmen involved in the attempted hit, amid fears the two might be targeted for killing themselves to ensure they keep silent on the person or persons behind the case, Thanee said.

"The two should report themselves to police because their lives might be in danger," he said.

A court approved arrest warrants on Tuesday for Pol Cpl Worawut Mungsanti and Master Sergeant first class Panya Srihaera.

The two are wanted on charges of premeditated attempted murder and possessing guns in public places without permission.

If police can arrest the two, they could issue more arrest warrants for those involved, Thanee said, adding that police believed the suspects were still in the country.

Worawut is a police officer assigned to the Narcotics Suppression Bureau who was seconded to work at the Department of Special Investigation.

Panya is a non-commissioned Army officer from the Special Warfare Command in Lop Buri.

The charges relate to the bid to kill Sondhi, co-leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy and founder of ASTV, early on April 17.

The Army has not commented on Panya's whereabouts. The police anti-drug unit said

Worawut was absent from work for 14 days. He faces a mandatory disciplinary probe with the threat of a dishonourable discharge, if he fails to report for work today.

Thanee said police did not think Rassami Mekchai, who was found to own the dark-purple pick-up suspected to be used in the attack, was involved in the shooting.

Police are also searching for a Mazda pick-up the assailants used to follow Sondhi's car from his home. They had found there were 800 of this model in the country and links to five of these were still being probed.

Police had yet to find guns used in the attack but said this was not a worry as they had other circumstantial evidence and witnesses that make the case solid.

Thanee said this case was actually the responsibility of the Metropolitan Police Bureau and deputy Bangkok Police Chief as chief investigator but he had had to handle it to make progress. He has not been intimidated or threatened, as he knew how to carry himself.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban praised police for making progress on a case that was tough.

Asked if he thought police would be able to link high-ranking military officials or police that might be involved in the attack, Suthep said the case was the work of individuals not an institution. He said the fact the two suspects were a soldier and a police officer didn't mean both institutions were involved.

New Politics Party secretary-general Suriyasai Katasila called on the government not to isolate the police team working on the case, saying it must draw a clear line between not interfering and leaving them isolated.

Thanee's team had taken the right path in finding the culprits in the attack of Sondhi, who also believed his attackers were men in uniform, Suriyasai said.

"What we worry about is whether the government will support this police team and make sure that this is not a phoney fight, especially when Thanee has revealed that some investigators let out secrets and there have been high-powered groups trying to intimidate investigators," he said.

"Although Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan have vowed this case is not a phoney fight, we have to see if they give cooperation and support to police. Just before police went to arrest the gunmen, informants leaked the news to the media about the arrest warrants, causing the suspects to become aware and able to escape,"

Suriyasai said.

He said the PM always reiterated about the rule of law and moral principles, so Sondhi's case would be test whether the PM acted as he preached. "By letting Thanee's team be intimidated and threatened, the PM is blurring the line between not interfering and leaving them isolated,'' he said.

Matubhum Party spokesman Muk Sulaiman questioned the timing of the police news on the case, saying news broke just when the government faced adverse publicity about swine flu and the foreign minister.

-- The Nation 2009/07/16

[jayboy]

The most interesting thing will be what Sondhi says.

Well perhaps.Others may believe the most interesting thing will be whether the investigation will be allowed to pursue the high level backers of the assasination attempt.Don't hold your breath.

Oh wait I almost forgot that blowhard Kasit told the Asia Society in New York that Thaksin was the culprit.To be fair I doubt whether even Kasit believes it now.

The surreal aspect to all this is that most educated Thais have their very clear ideas who is responsible and why.

[sriracha john]

Policeman suspect in the Sondhi shooting case preparing to surrender

Corporal Worawut Mungsanti has contacted deputy national police chief General Thanee Somboonsap to report himself on charges relating to the Sondhi shooting case, a senior police officer said on Friday.

The surrender of Worawut, a non-commissioned officer of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, is expected within the next few days after he has been dismissed due to his leave without permission for 14 days, NSB deputy chief Maj General Adithep Pachamanont said.

Former defence minister and Army chief General Chettha Thanajaro on Friday said he had no involvement in the Sondhi shooting case although one of the two suspects once served under him.

Chettha admitted that suspect Master Sergeant Panya Srihaera used to work on his staff.

"I won't describe Panya as close to me although he occasionally came to see me when I went to inspect the business at the Trat factory," he said. He denied that his scent-wood factory had sheltered the fugitive who worked for a month before disappearing ahead of a police raid on Thursday.

Orathai Thanajaro, daughter-in-law of Chettha, said Panya was one of Chettha's guard when he was defence minister. Panya had not contacted with Chettha or her family after Chettha left the ministerial position.

Orathai said she only learned that Panya applied for a job at the plant for a month before disappearing with unknown reason.

"I want to raise a point. The case is severe. If (Chettha) would really commit it, why would he let a close person do the job? The link would be too easy," Orathai said.

NSB commissioner Lt General Wut Liptapanlop, however, had disposed Worawut for being absent for more than 15 days according to the dicipline.

DSI deputy director-general Pol Colonel Narat Sawettanant, the spokesman, said Worawut only showed intention to be transferred to the DSI, but he was not actually transferred. He only joined hands with the DSI on some cases.

DSI personnel knowing Worawut had tried to contact him but fail. They had never heard from him after found missing, Narat said.

-- The Nation 2009-07-18

[webfact]

SONDHI CASE

'Administrator' involved

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Published on July 19, 2009

PAD says suspect colonel contacted 'powerful figure'

The unsolved mysteries surrounding the assassination attempt on Sondhi Limtrongkul, a key leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), took a new twist yesterday when it was alleged that a high-ranking administration official was involved.

Panthep Puapongpan, a spokesman for the PAD, said an army colonel believed to be involved in the failed assassination attempt had phoned the powerful figure, who was closely connected with the military and police.

The move followed Deputy National Police Chief Thani Somboonsap's public outcry that he had run into a major stumbling block while investigating the Sondhi case.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who met Thani, the chief investor, last week, is expected to make a crucial decision shortly regarding the course of this highly sensitive case.

Panthep said the army colonel, whose name was withheld, had made the phone call to the powerful figure in connection with the assassination case because results of the investigation could be highly damaging.

Abhisit said yesterday that Thani could still proceed with his investigation so there was no need to appoint a committee to investigate alleged leaks of classified information pertinent to the assassination attempt as suggested by the PAD.

So far Thani's investigation team has sought the arrests of Worawut Mungsanti, a non-commissioned officer of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, and Master Sgt Panya Srihaerais, a non-commissioned officer attached to the Special Warfare Command in Lop Buri province, in connection with the attempt on Sondhi's life.

Citing well-informed sources, Panthep said there had been three attempts by military figures to tamper with the case.

A high-ranking military official summoned police and threatened to destroy evidence pertaining to the case, then another army general intimidated police investigators, and thirdly Gen Somjet Boonthanom, a former secretary-general of the Council for National Security (CNS), said Thani should not have made his case in public, Panthep said.

On allegations that some members of the military top brass were linked to the attempt on Sondhi's life even though the PAD was the ally of the CNS, Somjet said he did not want to blame Sondhi for linking the CNS to the case because as the victim of the attack he had a right to his theory.

Former Army chief General Chettha Thanajaro also insisted he was not the mastermind in the Sondhi case.

"I do not have the guts to order anyone killed, because I fear sin, though it would be another matter in the case of an enemy of the country,'' Chettha said in an interview to the radio programme "Lab Luang Prang" on FM 100.5.

However, he admitted that one of the two suspects, Panya, had once been on his staff.

Reacting to an opinion survey where most respondents said they believed the suspects were scapegoats and doubted police would be able to bring the mastermind to justice, Abhisit said he would ensure that the Sondhi case was handled straightforwardly with no harassment or dereliction.

"We have to give investigators time to work on it. They cannot publicly reveal all information on the case,'' he said.

-- The Nation 2009/07/19

[mca]

The arrest warrant was issued after a Toyota Vigo pick-up truck- suspected to have been used in the attack on a van taking Mr Sondhi to work at Bang Khunphrom intersection in Bangkok on April 17 was found at a military camp in Lop Buri .

It was brought to Bangkok for forensic examination on Monday.

The vehicle belonged to a woman named Rassami Mekchai, 27, of tambon Thale Chupsorn in Muang district of Lop Buri, the sources said.

"Hi Rassami. Do you think I could borrow your Vigo tomorrow? I need to move a sofa."

"Sure. What harm can it do?"

[sukeroku]

To date, it has not been reported clearly whether the military men will be charged with attempted murder or disciplined for poor marksmanship. Should be interesting.

[sriracha john]

Chettha's aide 'too kind to kill'

Former Army Chief Chettha Thanajaro yesterday distanced himself from his former aide Panya Srihera who is suspected of involvement in the failed assassination attempt on Sondhi Limthongkul, a core leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy. "Mr Sondhi knows me well. It's just a political game," General Chettha said yesterday.

Police are still hunting for the two leading suspects in the case, Sgt-Maj Panya, who is attached to the Special Warfare Unit in Lop Buri, and Police Corporal Worawut Mungsanti, from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau. Arrest warrants have been issued and they face charges of premeditated murder and attempted murder, possession of war weapons, carrying firearms without a licence and illegal assembly.

Police believe the two are still at large in Thailand. General Chettha selected Sgt-Maj Panya as his aide when he was appointed Defence Minister in 2004.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/2...oo-kind-to-kill

-- Bangkok Post 2009-07-19

Edited July 19, 2009 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Colonel is 3rd suspect in Sondhi attack case

A Colonel with the Special Warfare Unit in Lopburi has been named as a third target of investigators looking into the assassination attempt on Sondhi Limthongkul. The Deputy Chief of Metropolitan Police yesterday identified the suspect as Sunai Prapuchaney.

Sumet Rueangsawat said Colonel Sunai had borrowed the Toyota pickup truck suspected of being used in the April 17 attack from Rasamee Mekchai, the vehicle owner. Sunai is based in Lopburi but is presently serving with the Internal Security Operations Command in the southernmost provinces. He is the superior of Sgt Maj Panya Srihera, one of the two other suspects being hunted by police.

The other is Police Corporal Worawut Mungsanti of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau. A source said Colonel Sunai was head of Chettha Thanajaro's security force when he was Army Commander-in-Chief and had a close relationship with Mrs Rasamee. Investigators would issue a summons asking him to meet police, Police Major-General Sumet said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/2058...dhi-attack-case

-- Bangkok Post 2009-07-20

Edited July 20, 2009 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

PM briefed on Sondhi attack case

Chief investigator Police General Thani Somboonsap briefed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on the progress of the police investigation of the attempted assassination of Sondhi Limthongkul, a core leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, at Government House on Wednesday morning.

Mr Abhisit said Police General Thani had asked for seven more days to make the case clearer. The prime minister said he told the Deputy Police Chief that he would provide full support for police to quickly close the controversial case.

If the investigation concluded that Colonel Sunai Praphuchane, Chief-of-Staff of the Internal Security Operations Command’s Region 4 office, was involved in the attempted murder, police could take needed legal action in

Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-07-22

[sriracha john]

PM Acknowledges Obstacles in Sondhi's Case

The Prime Minister says he is aware of obstacles, particularly from state officials, in the investigation into the assassination attempt case of People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul but affirms that the military is not involved.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva revealed deputy national police chief Police General Thani Sombunsap, as chief investigator for the case, has met with him to report the progress of the investigation.

Abhisit said Police General Thani reported several obstacles in the investigation, particularly coming from state officials involved in the case. He reiterated there have been no obstacles about cooperation from the military.

The PM expects to hear more progress in the case by next week.

Abhisit said as director of the Internal Security Operations Command, or ISOC, he will ensure prosecution of the ISOC Region 4's Chief-of-Staff Colonel Sunai Prapuchanae, if there is evidence to prove his involvement in the case.

-- Tan Network 2009-07-22