Thai Police Name Pair Sought After Nonthaburi Blast

[webfact]

NONTHABURI BLAST

Police name pair sought after blast

By The Nation

A man and a woman in a Muslim headscarf seen in security-camera footage at a Nonthaburi apartment where a powerful explosion occurred on Tuesday have been identified by police.

Police have linked them to suspicious activities and acquired arrest warrants for them.

The man is identified as Kasi Ditthanarat, 48, who has changed his name seven times and was once wanted by police in Narathiwat for alleged fraud. The woman is Amphorn Jaikorn, 61, a retired government teacher also based in the southern province, police sources said yesterday.

They said Kasi borrowed a Toyota pickup truck with Narathiwat licence plate Kor Khor 3898 from his brother. The vehicle was seen being used by suspected bomb-maker Samai Wongsuwan, who was killed by Tuesday's explosion in Room 202 of Samarn Metta Massion. The security footage was compared to a mugshot of Kasi to identify him. After the explosion, Kasi withdrew money from a cash machine in a province in the Central twice for a total of Bt50,000.

A security intelligence source said a woman with appearance similar to Amphorn had been located and questioned after she tried to sell another car, also with a Narathiwat licence plate, to a dealer. "She was set to flee with the money she got from selling the car, before she was found and apprehended," the source said.

In tracing Amphorn, police acquired information about her from brochures of a website selling traditional fabrics in the South. The Lan Nara shop has a branch in Chiang Mai, a stronghold of pro-red people where Samai was based before he took part in the red-shirt protests in May. He later disappeared, until his body was found at the explosion site.

An RPG launcher and four rockets found Thursday night in a room near the old Pheu Thai Party headquarters off Rama IV Road had nothing to do with a recent weapons theft from an Army depot in Lop Buri, the acting Bangkok police chief Pol Lt General Jakthip Chaijinda said.

Police have acquired arrest warrants for two people who rented the room, Suksan Rangwiwen and Preeda Kaenpho. Two AK-47 rifles and 750 rounds of ammunition were also found in the room.

Meanwhile, the Depart-ment of Special Investigation said an alleged triggerman believed responsible for M79 attacks on troops during the May protests, Aram Saeng-arun, had refused to cooperate and did not implicate anyone, and said he would speak only during trials. He entered court custody yesterday after the Criminal Court turned down his request for a temporary release.

The Senate committee on human rights yesterday called on Social Development and Human Security Minister Issara Somchai to review his decision to give Bt400,000 to the family of Samai according to normal procedures for victims, saying that at least the grant should have been delayed until the police investigation into Samai's alleged crimes was over.

Senator Somchai Sawaengakarn said the payment was against the Constitution, which stipulated that the government-subsidised compensation must be paid to victims of crimes.

-- The Nation 2010-10-09

[givenall]

Too much detail, more than I need:ermm:

[mccw]

Very sinnister.

Looks like the reds may have done a deAl with the devil. Offer the 3 province in exchange for help to take power. Luckaly it seems only a small number have lost their souls and The violence is not so servier as in those sad lands.

We should give the army our full support to nip this problem in bud before it escaletes any further. Report suspisious activity; there is a number to do so , annomolously if u chose.

I wonder how long these tv redshirt revolutionaries would stick around if things got to a level like the south. Not many living down that way currently I bet!

[hanuman1]

I'm just waiting for someone to suggest a link between the red shirt movement and child pornography on Sukhumvit Road...

Edited October 9, 2010 by hanuman1

[mccw]

I'll suggest a link between the cutting off of funding and closure of bank accounts with the spate of gold store robberies ; alternative sources of funding needed ; if bombing innocent people is acceptable to someone chances are there isn't much that isn't

[animatic]

Easy enough for anyone to don Muslim looking clothes

make someone THINK that the northern reds are actually

southern insurgents moving north.

Like 'The Man Who Never Was' in WWII.

Especially if you want to sow confusion and make it LOOK

like it isn't the reds doing this. Of course no reason to rule out

a deal with 'some elements' from the south in exchange for the

3 provinces later.

In either case it is still evil, but any turn of the karmic wheel

Edited October 9, 2010 by animatic

[TAWP]

One highly annoying thing, that is reoccurring in many The Nation articles, is the fragmentation of focus. Why write about things that has no relevance to the main item. Or even things partly related by that would be better suited in their own article? Are they paid by the word and always try to pad their article with redundant references?

[rubl]

I'm just waiting for someone to suggest a link between the red shirt movement and child pornography on Sukhumvit Road...

Better take a beer, you may be in for a long wait. Even as I write the opinions on whether or not there is CP visible or available at lower Sukhumvit is debated

[TAWP]

So to return to topic, the wording 'Muslim' headscarf is just confusing - perhaps they meant 'wearing a headscarf [like many people do in the world including Muslims]'.

Aaanyway...

[OzMick]

Just because you are a muslim, doesn't mean you are a separatist. Maybe northern muslims have swallowed the red b/s.

[mccw]

Just because you are a muslim, doesn't mean you are a separatist. Maybe northern muslims have swallowed the red b/s.

true

but it says they are from the south with shops up north; so maybe yes they have swallowed red bs but could also be the link to insurgencey in south ; ie training the red who blew himself up in bomb making; they probably could get allong saying the state/ ellite are all same oppressors for both groups etc etc, easy for red to sellectively remember and overlook truths like thaksins rellated crimes if it could suit them here and now.

I know not all Muslims are terrorists but given the cercumstances they are in , ie aiding a bomb maker ; it's not a far stretch of the imagination

[gemini81]

One highly annoying thing, that is reoccurring in many The Nation articles, is the fragmentation of focus. Why write about things that has no relevance to the main item. Or even things partly related by that would be better suited in their own article? Are they paid by the word and always try to pad their article with redundant references?

why be so critical of the article?

it serves its purpose.

[asiawatcher]

Well at least having named the pair, identifying their nefarious activities and connections, it would seem it all points back to Reds and that does not surprise me one bit! But now the Red supporters here will start up their complaints and say it is a Govt plot and then TAT will claim a rise in tourism to see the results of the case! Let's see what else...

[culicine]

So to return to topic, the wording 'Muslim' headscarf is just confusing - perhaps they meant 'wearing a headscarf [like many people do in the world including Muslims]'.

Aaanyway...

For better or worse, the suspect involved is really a Muslim.

[Buchholz]

Coupled with the group of Red Bombers who did, amongst other bombings, the Bhum Jai Thai Party headquarters bombing and now this whole other contingent of Red Bombers and Red shooters coming to light, it's difficult to keep them all sorted as to who is who and which one did which act.

It's an ever-growing roster with a increasing level of violence that is more than a bit disconcerting.

[rubl]

So to return to topic, the wording 'Muslim' headscarf is just confusing - perhaps they meant 'wearing a headscarf [like many people do in the world including Muslims]'.

Aaanyway...

For better or worse, the suspect involved is really a Muslim.

Nowhere in the OP does it say that ! There is only a reference to security-camera footage with a woman in a Muslim headscarf. Anyone can don that.

[Buchholz]

Immigration Authorities Tighten Security to Stop Apartment Bombing Suspects

At border crossings in the south, authorities have stepped up security efforts in an effort to prevent the two suspects, wanted for the apartment bombing, from leaving the country.

Yesterday at the Sadao Border Pass in Songkhla province, immigration authorities posted pictures and arrest warrants for 48 year old Kasi Ditthanarat and 51 year old Amporn Jaigorn, the two suspects in the case of the apartment building bombing in Nonthaburi province.

Security measures have also been strengthened at other border crossings in the region to prevent the suspects from leaving the country.

The Nonthaburi Provincial Court issued arrest warrants for both Kasi and Amporn on October 7 for their alleged role in detonating the explosion that went off at Samammetta Mansion, an apartment building located in the Bang Bua Thong district of Nonthaburi province.

Meanwhile, immigration authorities in Songkhla province pointed out that there have been many people going through border check points, especially now that the Vegetarian Festival is in progress, with as many as 10,000 people crossing in and out of Malaysia each day.

However, there have been no reports that the suspects have been sighted at the border crossings.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-11

[Buchholz]

House Panel Secretary Linked to Blast

A Pheu Thai Party MP has vowed to resign as Chairman of the House Committee on Anti-money Laundering if there is proof that his secretary was involved in the recent deadly blast in Nonthaburi.

Chairman of the House Committee on Anti-money Laundering and Narcotics, Wisut Chainarun, also the Pheu Thai Party MP for Payao, said the secretary of his panel, Wasa Theprian, told him that a businessman paid her 500 baht to transfer 50,000 baht to a bank account of an unknown person.

Wisut claimed Wasa did not know that the account was held by Kasi Dithanarat, who is named on an arrest warrant for his alleged involvement in the blast at an apartment building in Nonthaburi. Wisut is cooperating with police to turn them both in this Friday.

The Pheu Thai Party MP said he did not believe Wasa was involved in making the bomb, but admitted that the accusation has embarrassed him.

He said he would review whether he should stay in the post as the panel's chairman if there is evidence showing Wasa really was an accessory to the crime.

Meanwhile, Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Bundej said suspicion about Wasa's possible involvement in the explosion will not tarnish the image of Parliament as it is a personal matter and she is only an employee of the House panel, not a permanent staff member .

Prasopsuk, however, advised investigators to notify House Speaker Chai Chidchob before they summon her for interrogation.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-11

Edited October 11, 2010 by Buchholz

[rubl]

House Panel Secretary Linked to Blast

A Pheu Thai Party MP has vowed to resign as Chairman of the House Committee on Anti-money Laundering if there is proof that his secretary was involved in the recent deadly blast in Nonthaburi.

Chairman of the House Committee on Anti-money Laundering and Narcotics, Wisut Chainarun, also the Pheu Thai Party MP for Payao, said the secretary of his panel, Wasa Theprian, told him that a businessman paid her 500 baht to transfer 50,000 baht to a bank account of an unknown person.

Wisut claimed Wasa did not know that the account was held by Kasi Dithanarat, who is named on an arrest warrant for his alleged involvement in the blast at an apartment building in Nonthaburi. Wisut is cooperating with police to turn them both in this Friday.

The Pheu Thai Party MP said he did not believe Wasa was involved in making the bomb, but admitted that the accusation has embarrassed him.

He said he would review whether he should stay in the post as the panel's chairman if there is evidence showing Wasa really was an accessory to the crime.

Meanwhile, Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Bundej said suspicion about Wasa's possible involvement in the explosion will not tarnish the image of Parliament as it is a personal matter and she is only an employee of the House panel, not a permanent staff member .

Prasopsuk, however, advised investigators to notify House Speaker Chai Chidchob before they summon her for interrogation.

Interesting article. Let's sum up:

- MP will resign if secretary Wasa was involved in deadly blast

- secretary told him about 50,000B from 'businessman' to be put in some account

- MP claimed secretary didn't now the name of the account

- Senate speaker says it's a personal matter

From another Nation newsflash ( http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Pheu-Thai-MP-to-lead-parliamentary-official-to-mee-30139828.html ):

Wisut said Wasa wanted her account to look good so she deposited the money into her own account before transferring it to Kasit.

- Wisut would not disclose the name of the person who hired Wasa to transfer the money.

- Wisut said he nominated Wasa as secretary of the House panel because Wasa is a close friend of his daughter.

- Wisut said Wasa is now hiding with her close friend and he would take her to meet police on Friday.

Conclusion:

- Some-one is lying

- personal is hired because of excellent credentials.

- The wife of k. Wisut may have some questions.

Welcome to Thailand

[Buchholz]

^ Agreed.

Pheu Thai Party = Reds = (fill in the missing 3rd cog of the triad)

[Buchholz]

Police detain pair linked to bomber

Woman in custody is secretary to House panel, "close" to Pheu Thai MP

Police have detained a young woman with possible knowledge about the bomb blast in Nonthaburi last week.

Wasa Theprian, 25, was arrested yesterday for her alleged involvement in the explosion last Tuesday that claimed four lives and injured nine other people, two of them seriously.

Wasa is the secretary to the House committee on anti-money laundering and counter-narcotics. She is said to have close personal relations with a northern MP.

Police were seeking Wasa after she was found to have transferred money to a bank account belonging to Kasi Ditthanarat, a businessman who took Samai Wongsuwan to the apartment building in Nonthaburi's Bang Bua Thong district.

Samai stayed in Room 202 at Samarn Metta Mansion, where the bomb went off - accidentally, according to police. Samai, a red-shirt guard, died at the scene.

Kasi and his wife Amporn or Ladda Jaikorn were captured on security cameras moving suspicious boxes to Room 202 prior to the blast. Arrest warrants have been issued for the couple, who are both still on the run.

Wasa was accused of transferring 40,000 Baht to Kasi on October 3, and 50,000 Baht to him on October 6 - the day after the blast - via a bank inside Parliament House. Kasi withdrew the cash in Suphan Buri.

Wasa did not report to work last Thursday and was seen in Nakhon Ratchasima. Police said yesterday that Wasa was being detained at a safe house for further questioning. Another man, whom Phayao Pheu Thai MP Wisut Chai-narun reportedly said was a businessman who asked Wasa to make the cash transfers, was also in police custody as of press time.

Wisut, who chairs the House committee on anti-money laundering and counter-narcotics, sought to defend Wasa yesterday. He described her as a close friend of his daughter and a good person. "She was asked to make the [cash] transfers by a businessman," Wisut said. "The money was for a business matter." He said he had talked to Wasa, who was so shaken by what happened that she decided to stay away for a while.

"Had she known about the bomb plot, she would have not been very open about the money transfers," Wisut argued, in her defence. He said he was confident Wasa had nothing to do with terrorist acts because she did not know Kasi personally.

The Pheu Thai MP said he had known the businessman who asked Wasa to make the transfers, but not his line of work. "I've talked to him several times before but I did not know what type of business he was doing. I am not intrusive," Wisut said.

He said he nominated Wasa to be secretary of the House committee that he chaired. "I recommended her because she's a good girl and a friend of my daughter," he said.

Wisut expected Wasa and the businessman to speak up on Friday. "After that, I will let all committee members decide whether I should retain the Chairmanship," he said.

Wisut also offered an apology to all Pheu Thai Party members for damaging the Party's reputation.

"But indeed, I am not involved in terrorism," he said. Wisit was among dozens of people blacklisted earlier this year. Their bank accounts were "frozen" because they were suspected of being involved in anti-government activities.

The three other people killed in the blast were Jaturong Khamrod and Tassanee Lapjaroen - who were staying in an adjacent room (204) when the bomb destroyed the apartment block - plus Apirak Sajjabangjongjit, a worker in the building next door.

-- The Nation 2010-10-12

[scorecard]

One highly annoying thing, that is reoccurring in many The Nation articles, is the fragmentation of focus. Why write about things that has no relevance to the main item. Or even things partly related by that would be better suited in their own article? Are they paid by the word and always try to pad their article with redundant references?

why be so critical of the article?

it serves its purpose.

Agree. Newspapers have lost the majority of their traditional revenues and are struggling to stay out of bankruptcy, which means they are severely cutting costs. Thai reporters writing the English language pieces is the obvious result and my guess is that the current quality we now see in The Nation and the other one, is here to stay. Guess we all need to live with it.

[Robby nz]

Wasa is the secretary to the House committee on anti-money laundering and counter-narcotics

Not very well up on this money laundering business but isnt there an excellent chance that what she was doing was money laundering?

Wasa was accused of transferring 40,000 Baht to Kasi on October 3, and 50,000 Baht to him on October 6 - the day after the blast - via a bank inside Parliament House. Kasi withdrew the cash in Suphan Buri.

So Wisut knows who gave her the money but isnt telling.

The Pheu Thai MP said he had known the businessman who asked Wasa to make the transfers, but not his line of work. "I've talked to him several times before but I did not know what type of business he was doing. I am not intrusive," Wisut said.

Anyone else think that could be just a tiny bit suspisious?

Could it be that another PTP member will soon be in need of parlimentary immunity?