Thai Authorities Detain 11 Men For Threat To National Security

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11 men detained for alleged threat to national security

BANGKOK: -- The Thai authorities have detained 11 men suspected of involvement in a movement to overthrow Thailand's revered monarchy and planning the assassination of the country's key public figures, a senior police officer said on Monday.

Provincial Police Region 5 designated commander Pol Maj Gen Chaiya Siriamphankul said the 11 were arrested in a resort in Chiang Mai's Mae On district and they are well-trained in using firearms.

The detainees are linked with a movement to destroy national security and planned to kill the country's very important persons as well as overthrow the monarchy, said Gen Chaiya, adding that investigation is underway to lead to other accomplices in the northeastern and eastern regions.

The 11 are now under a witness protection scheme to reveal more information to the authorities, said Gen Chaiya.

Acting Bangkok Metropolitan Police Chief Pol Maj-Gen Chakthip Chaijinda said Monday he sent a team of investigation to Chiang Mai to assist provincial police in questioning suspects in seeking possible links with the disturbances in the capital.

Key Chiang Mai Red Shirt leader Master Sergeant Third Class Pichit Tamool on Monday however denied the 11 suspects are members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and that the state officials cooked up the story to cast a bad light on the Red Shirt movement.

In other development, a shoe repairman was detained Monday after confessing to police that he telephoned bomb threat to Siriraj Hospital where His Majesty the King is hospitalised.

Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau Division 1 commander Pol Maj-Gen Wichai Sangprapai said the cobbler, who works near the military-operated TV5 television station in Bangkok's Sanam Pao area was taken by police for questioning after a closed circuit television near a public telephone booth captured an image which looked like him.

The suspect confessed he had telephoned the bomb threat to the hospital on September 30 at 8.30am, according to Gen Wichai, adding the cobbler showed shown no symptoms of being mentally disturbed during the conversation.

Gen Wichai said police have invited him for questioning because of the bomb threat and they are unable to arrest him unless the court approves a warrant.

"Initially, we found he is a normal person, not mentally-ill as earlier suspected. He is a cobbler and police have evidence indicating he is the culprit. We can't yet reveal the reasons of his action, but he has already made the confession." said the police commander. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-10-04

[hanuman1]

So now it's official. The threat to national security is in fact a load of cobbler's.

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Chiang Mai Police Chief Denies 11 Militants Arrested

The Chiang Mai police chief has denied the arrests of 11 suspected militants believed to be members of an unknown anti government group, claiming that they were only called in for questioning.

Chiang Mai Provincial Police Commander Police Major General Sommai Kongwisaisuk commented on the speculation over the arrests of 11 people believed to be members of a militant group at a resort in Mae On district of Chiang Mai province.

He stated that local villagers tipped off police that these people may be linked to an unknown insurgent group and have reaceived weapon training.

The police chief went on to say that the 11 suspects were not apprehended as they were only called in for questioning.

However, further investigation will be conducted into the matter.

A news report also stated that police have searched for more evidence at a Chiang Mai resort where the 11 men were staying.

An initial search found no evidence nor any weapon, but only documents linked to the red-shirt group and permits to enter Cambodia.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-04

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Police Asked to Clarify Arrests of 11 Suspected Militants

The deputy prime minister in charge of security affairs declined to comment on reports on the arrests of a group of black clad militants in Chiang Mai, only saying he will assign the police chief to clarify the matter.

Meanwhile, senators have expressed concern about reports on the assembly of people planning to stir unrest.

Deputy Prime Minister in charge of national security Suthep Thaugsuban refused to comment on reports that police have arrested 11 men in Chiang Mai's Mae On district.

The men are suspected of being black shirt militants who had undergone weapons training and are plotting to stir unrest and assassinate the country's important figures.

Suthep only said he will assign national police chief Police General Wichien Podposri and responsible officials to clarify the matter.

In the meatime, today's Senate meeting discussed various issues, including reports about the secret assembly of people to create disturbances.

Senator Prasarn Maruekapitak said it is an important issue and suggested security authorities closely monitor the situation and launch proactive measures to hunt for suspects.

Senator Somchai Sawaengkan expressed concern about reports that ill intentioned groups in Tak province are planing to incite chaos, urging relevant agencies to verify the reports.

He also suggested officials tighten security for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as his bullet proof car does not provide protection against rocket propelled grenades.

Meanwhile, Senator Admiral Surasak Sri arun voiced his support for the extension of the state of emergency, which is due to expire tomorrow.

The Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation will propose tomorrow's Cabinet meeting to consider extending the law, which will complete its three month term of enforcement on Wednesday, in the Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan and Pathum Thani.

Surasak said attempts to incite unrest still exist, so the emergency decree should remain in place to control the situation.

He also believes the law's extension would not affect the country's image.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-04

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Army to Look Into Chiang Mai Militants Case

The Region 3 Army has launched an investigation into the reported arrests of suspected red-shirt militants at a Chiang Mai resort.

Meanwhile, the new Chiang Mai governor has insisted he is fully dedicated to his responsibilities.

Earlier today at the Region 3 Army base in Phitsanulok province, Special Army Adviser General Thanong Apirakyothin presided over a ceremony to usher in his successor Lieutenant General Wannathip Wongwai, as the Region 3 Army commander.

Wannathip has commented on the police's arrests of suspicious men at a resort in Chiang Mai's Mae On district.

The men have allegedly been linked to security cases.

He said the Region 3 Army must first review all the gathered evidence before concluding whether the suspects were engaged in weapon training to incite political violence.

The army is prepared to fully cooperate with the police to determine the facts about the case.

The new Region 3 Army commander went on to say that aside from taking up the responsibilities of the previous commander, he must quickly assure residents in the 17 northern provinces of their security.

Meanwhile, new Chiang Mai Governor Momluang Panadda Disakul has traveled to the province for the inauguration ceremony in which he was warmly greeted by administrative officials and the Chiang Mai public

The new governor said that he is prepared to take on his responsibilities with enthusiasm and dedication.

He has also denied the speculation that he was sent by the Interior Ministry to suppress red shirt activities and said his responsibilities is to serve the Monarchy and to maintain love and unity in the country.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-04

[asiawatcher]

What a circus - MCOT claims all 11 were arrested. Tan Network denies it. The Police are now investigating.

Scrappy journalism - and Keystone cops - would make a great black and white movie!

[Tokay]

Does a Thai "witness protection scheme" consist of changing their shirts and hiding them in another room, or actually creating new identities for them and putting them somewhere else in the country?

[chantorn]

What a circus - MCOT claims all 11 were arrested. Tan Network denies it. The Police are now investigating.

Scrappy journalism - and Keystone cops - would make a great black and white movie!

Militants with no arms. What a joke. An obvious setup.

[hanuman1]

What a circus - MCOT claims all 11 were arrested. Tan Network denies it. The Police are now investigating.

Scrappy journalism - and Keystone cops - would make a great black and white movie!

Militants with no arms. What a joke. An obvious setup.

But to what end, I wonder? Please enlighten us Chantorn.

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ASSASSINATION PLOT?

11 arrested fighters cooperating

By The Nation

Eleven men apprehended on Sunday at a Chiang Mai resort had received weapons training for purposes targeting national security, but have now cooperated and vowed to disclose useful information to authorities, a police commander said yesterday.

According to initial interviews with the men, a movement was set up to subvert the country through acts of terror - details confirmed in intelligence reports by various agencies, said Pol Maj-General Chaiya Sriramphankul, acting commander of Regional Police Bureau 5, whose jurisdiction covers the North and the province.

He said police were treating the matter purely as a criminal case without seeking political motives. He refused to indicate whether the men were red fighters, or linked to the infamous "men in black", who are believed to be behind incidents of violence during the red-shirt protests in May.

"We have information about the weapons training they received, and their involvement in various activities including bomb-related incidents, the anti-monarchy movement, assassination plots and other incidents which caused disruption to public order in Bangkok and elsewhere," he said, without giving further details.

"If all details [coming from the 11 suspects] are linked together, and coupled with information achieved through investigations by the Department of Special Investigation into more than 200 incidents, they will be very useful for the country, but I cannot tell whether it would lead to reconciliation in the end," the officer said.

News reports in Thai-language dailies yesterday said the suspects were involved in a plan to assassinate key government ally Newin Chidchob for Bt20 million. The Bhum Jai Thai Party de-facto leader publicly acknowledged the plot at his birthday party yesterday evening. In his remarks, Newin implied he knew exactly who wanted him dead.

The 11 men have not been charged but are still under police custody for further questioning, the officer said, adding that not all were natives of the North. But he declined to reveal their identities.

There are other groups receiving similar weapons' training and scheming to carry out similar activities, "but I can't tell you where they are based now. It's a sensitive issue and may affect investor confidence if details are revealed", he said.

Meanwhile, police yesterday arrested a cobbler for allegedly making a prank bomb threat against the Siriraj Hospital last week.

Police said Suriyan Kokpuey admitted to the crime and is now in custody pending prosecution. He is a supporter of the red-shirt movement and said he selected the target because it was an important place, and did the prank out of his dislike for a coalition party.

-- The Nation 2010-10-05