Thaksin, Vatana And Somchai Don't Figure In Thai Most-Wanted List

[webfact]

Some big names missing

By WISIT CHUANPIPATPONG,

KWANHATHAI MALAKARN

THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Politicians on the run like Thaksin, Vatana and Somchai don't figure anywhere in Thai most-wanted list

BANGKOK: -- The Crime Suppression Division's most-wanted fugitive list is filled with alleged southern insurgents, drug dealers and murderers, but no politicians on the run.

For example, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who fled a two-year jail-term, is not on the list.

Vatana Asavahame, a former deputy interior minister wanted for trial in a multibillion-baht corruption case, and Somchai Khunpleum, a Chon Buri godfather with powerful political connections and wanted in a local land-conflict case, are also missing from the list.

Internationally, Interpol has no list of most-wanted fugitives, but the US's Federal Bureau of Investigation does.

The FBI's most-wanted list includes al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, ranked third after armed robber Victor Manuel Gerena and murderer/jail-breaker Glen Stewart Godwin.

Top of the Thai list is Jaekumae Kuteh, an alleged leader of the Gerakan Mujahideen Islam Patani, who carries a bounty on his head of Bt5 million.

Second on the list is Masae Useng, a suspected head of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Coordinate. He is wanted for the April 2003 gun robbery and killing of soldiers in Narathiwat and a Bt3-million reward has been offered for his arrest.

The third most-wanted is Maso Dayeh, the alleged head of a separatist group in Yala's Betong district who has a Bt2-million price on his head.

Others are Surachai "Bung Ron" Ngoenthongfoo, an alleged drug-dealing mastermind; Sergeant Boontri Musaka, a former military man who allegedly turned to criminal activities including robbery, murder and kidnapping; and Decha "Seu De" Prakodpol, an alleged drug-dealing hit man and motorcycle-theft gang leader. The rest are Sompit Saenghiran, an alleged cop killer; Adul or Somsak Wutthinant, an alleged murderer and thief; Theerapol Khamtes, a gang member allegedly involved in the murder of leading protester Suwat Wongpiyasathit; and Arak Vedayanont, an alleged murderer whose relatives later claimed he was dead.

Paisal Hayeesamae is a suspected insurgent sympathiser wanted for the 2005 Hat Yai International Airport bombing, which caused the public to shed tears for young Patcharaphol "Hong Te" Charoensilpa, who suffered serious injuries and lost his father.

Police Colonel Sinard Ajhanwong, superintendent of the Foreign Affairs Division's Interpol 3, said his office usually received more than 100 warrants sent randomly every day.

Member countries of Interpol will generally ask for cooperation in detaining these fugitives in case they show up in Thailand.

Sinard's office works with the Immigration Bureau to check if any of those wanted have passed through Thai checkpoints, or Thai police may be asked to look for the fugitives at addresses in the Kingdom.

On the other hand, if Thai authorities have an arrest warrant out on someone who has fled abroad, his office would contact Interpol, which has 187 member countries, and upload the person's information into the Interpol database so they could keep an eye out for the fugitive.

If extradition is requested, the matter will be handled by the Office of the Attorney-General and the Foreign Ministry.

Sinard's office also has posted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's background on the Interpol website with a "red notice" seeking international cooperation to send him back to Thailand.

Thaksin fled the country to avoid a jail term for violating the anti-graft law in the Rachadaphisek land case.

Besides Thaksin are a few other formerly high-profile political and related figures on the run due to pending criminal actions. "My office doesn't compile a most wanted fugitive list, but the FBI has its most-wanted list [seeking our cooperation]," Sinard said.

On top of the FBI list is Gerena, who is wanted for the US$10-million (now Bt333 million) armed robbery of a Connecticut security company in 1983. Second-place Godwin is wanted for unlawful flight from jail and murder.

Bin Laden is wanted for the August 7, 1998 bombings of US embassies in Tanzania and Kenya. Ranked fourth is James Joseph "Whitey" Bulger Jr, who is wanted for numerous murders from the early 70s to the mid 80s in connection with his leadership of an organised crime group in Boston.

At No 5 is Robert William Fisher, who allegedly murdered his wife and two children before burning their Arizona house down in 2001. Ranked sixth is Alexis Flores, who is accused of kidnapping and murdering a five-year-old girl in 2000, followed by Jason Derek Brown, who is wanted for armed robbery and murder allegedly committed in 2004.

Others are Joe Luis Saenz, who is wanted for several murders; Eduardo Ravelo, who was indicted in Texas in 2008 for racketeering activities, money laundering and drug dealing; and Semion Mogilevich, who was indicted in April 2003 for his role in a scheme defrauding thousands of investors of $150 million.

-- The Nation 2010-02-21

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[monkfish]

Osama is only Nr. 13

[landofthefree]

Osama is only Nr. 13

They dont look like people I want to have as friends!

[somluck]

One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter...

Thaksin is a hero in the eyes of many Thais

[hammered]

Lets be honest. Those who control things in Thailand would much rather come to an amicable arrangement with any ex-poltico now idsgraced or whatever. After all everyone knows the political tabkles can always turn and a game of revenge when in power ultimately means all lose. Right now however, coming to an arrangement with at least one is difficult it seems.

[mccw]

One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter...

Thaksin is a hero in the eyes of many Thais

So is binladen; dont change what they are, just whether you support thier murderous ways or not.

[animatic]

Odd list for sure.

I met "Whitey" Bulger Jr many years back at a Boston club.

And introduction and shaken hand, then a simple retreat.

Some of the coldest eyes I have looked into.

[earlbrownuk]

Interpol can be searched here for anyone interested.

http://www.interpol.int/Public/Wanted/Search/Form.asp

[Bottlerocket]

Bin Laden is wanted for the August 7, 1998 bombings of US embassies in Tanzania and Kenya. Ranked fourth is James Joseph "Whitey" Bulger Jr, who is wanted for numerous murders from the early 70s to the mid 80s in connection with his leadership of an organised crime group in Boston.

Notice it doesn't mention the 9/11 hijackings.