Thai Police Detain Woman, Man In Nonthaburi Blast Probe

[webfact]

NONTHABURI BLAST

Police detain woman, man in blast probe

By The Nation

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 Bt40,000 to Kasi on October 3, and Bt50,000 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 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

[IAMSOBAD]

Lots of esplaining to do Lucy!!!!!

[OzMick]

Wouldn't you think that the " secretary to the House committee on anti-money laundering" might be a tad suspicious of transferring money to a 3rd, supposedly unknown, party? I wonder what else she would do for B500.

And then, after both her and her boss are, purportedly, dropped in the fecal matter by this businessman, they can't name him until Friday. Add "hindering a police investigation" to "accessory to (add your crime)" and "aiding and abetting a fugitive." If Miss Wasa has the brains of an eggplant, she should run as far and fast as possible from Wisut and find a bloody good lawyer.

[elshaheen]

And the Plot thickens, everyday a page is turned and we discover more and more to this mystery as it unfolds. The house is dirty and needs cleaning, but who will clean it. Almost like a movie script.

Someone in the right position gets to plead or swanking like the chicken in “The Sky is falling,” “I’m Innocent, I’m Innocent. Look at me, I could never, never have done this to Thai.” Is he / she guilty of treason. He isn’t. He’s one of the untouchables.

Now, how long will it be when you see a full scale Civil War break out across Thailand? North against Central Thailand, Southern Thailand against Central Thailand.

When that day happens, I mean most of us can already see it on the horizon. That day, Tourism will be all shot to hel_l. No one will come to Thailand. The land of smiles will be the land of Thai’s with guns, grenades, and machetes.

[TAWP]

Most fun part now is seeing the red propaganda bloggers write posts and twitter messages trying to deflect and obfuscate anything around every piece of more incriminating evidence that is found...

[trogers]

Wouldn't you think that the " secretary to the House committee on anti-money laundering" might be a tad suspicious of transferring money to a 3rd, supposedly unknown, party? I wonder what else she would do for B500.

Bill Clinton comes to mind...

[scorecard]

Wouldn't you think that the " secretary to the House committee on anti-money laundering" might be a tad suspicious of transferring money to a 3rd, supposedly unknown, party? I wonder what else she would do for B500.

And then, after both her and her boss are, purportedly, dropped in the fecal matter by this businessman, they can't name him until Friday. Add "hindering a police investigation" to "accessory to (add your crime)" and "aiding and abetting a fugitive." If Miss Wasa has the brains of an eggplant, she should run as far and fast as possible from Wisut and find a bloody good lawyer.

Agree with your analysis on the connection to the committee on money laundering. The whole thing is rotten to the core in every aspect / in every direction.

The woman who transferred the money is 25 years old, she's not a child, her work relates to money laundering, she must have known that this all smells fishy and best to not get involved.

I hope they bleed her for very drop of information they can squeeze out of her.

The whole red shirt and t stuff seems to be slowly unravelling more and more.

Also agree with your comments about aiding and abeting a crime etc., nice analysis.

Edited October 12, 2010 by scorecard

[siampolee]

Phayao Pheu Thai MP Wisut Chai-narun

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.

Interesting. here we have a person involved in state affairs who hires someone because she is a good girl and a friend of my daughter.

No security checks, no background checks, no references or work experience checks ?

What was the motivation for putting the young callow girl into such a position, what were the interview requirements ?

Again a flawed system and an inept or possibly worse person in a position of some power.

Methinks the lunatics are indeed running the asylum.

Edited October 12, 2010 by siampolee

[gemini81]

Most fun part now is seeing the red propaganda bloggers write posts and twitter messages trying to deflect and obfuscate anything around every piece of more incriminating evidence that is found...

their only reply they can manage now is only "conspiracy" or "set up." Lost cause. All the video footage, accounts, eyewitnesses, confessions. Everybody knows. Some just deny.

Noticed some of the red excuse providers on here changed their screen names recently too...

[Crushdepth]

These PTP politicians seem to know an awful lot of bomb-throwing crazies. It's just another coincidence, of course.

[Buchholz]

Phayao Pheu Thai MP Wisut Chai-narun

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.

Interesting. here we have a person involved in state affairs who hires someone because she is a good girl and a friend of my daughter.

No security checks, no background checks, no references or work experience checks ?

What was the motivation for putting the young callow girl into such a position, what were the interview requirements ?

Again a flawed system and an inept or possibly worse person in a position of some power.

Methinks the lunatics are indeed running the asylum.

This evening brings revelations that this "good girl" Wasa is also living with the Pheu Thai Party MP Wisut at his house.

That could explain a few things, but raise a few more other questions.

#edited to add that Wisut is still continuing to refuse to identify the "businessman" in the murky exchange.

Edited October 12, 2010 by Buchholz

[globalmenace]

This evening brings revelations that this "good girl" Wasa is also living with the Pheu Thai Party MP Wisut at his house.

That was the subtext in the OP.

Is it also true that the bomber's family will recieve compensation from the government as he is a victim of the violence?

God, I love this country!

[asiawatcher]

Wouldn't you think that the " secretary to the House committee on anti-money laundering" might be a tad suspicious of transferring money to a 3rd, supposedly unknown, party? I wonder what else she would do for B500.

And then, after both her and her boss are, purportedly, dropped in the fecal matter by this businessman, they can't name him until Friday. Add "hindering a police investigation" to "accessory to (add your crime)" and "aiding and abetting a fugitive." If Miss Wasa has the brains of an eggplant, she should run as far and fast as possible from Wisut and find a bloody good lawyer.

Great response.

[Buchholz]

Woman linked to blast agrees to talk to police

Wasa Theprian, a woman connected to the Samarn Metta Mansion bombing case, has agreed to appear for questioning this week. "We have just talked over the phone and she has promised to report to police by October 15," Chiang Mai Deputy Police Chief Colonel Panudej Boonruang said.

He denied that police had arrested the 25-year-old secretary to the House anti-money-laundering and anti-narcotics committee. Wasa has not reported to work since last Thursday.

On October 5, a home-made device exploded inside an apartment in Nonthaburi's Bang Bua Thong district, apparently killing a red-shirt guard staying there as well as three other victims.On the following day, Wasa was found to have transferred some money from a bank inside Parliament House to the bank account of Kasi Ditthanarat, who was identified as the man who took the red-shirt guard and some boxes to the apartment.

Panudej said Wasa claimed a businessman asked her to send the money to Kasi. "She said she was going to bring him to police too," he said.

Wasa is close to Pheu Thai MP Wisut Chai-narun, who chairs the House committee and helped her get the job as the committee's secretary. Wisut said he had talked to the businessman mentioned by Wasa. "He has evidence to prove that the transaction was for business purposes."

Sopon Peungchai, superintendent of Bang Bua Thong Police Station, said his station was handling the case. "We are now waiting for the results of the forensic tests, so we have not yet summoned any more people for questioning," he said, confirming that no summons had been issued for Wasa.

-- The Nation 2010-10-13

[otherstuff1957]

So, they will report to the police on Friday... That will give them about three days to manufacture convincing alibis. I wouldn't be surprised if they refuse to turn themselves in for a couple of more days after that!

Or, more likely, she's seeing how much she can squeeze out of Wisut in exchange for taking the fall and keeping him out of it!

[Buchholz]

House Speaker Disowns Official Linked to Blast

The House speaker urges the House committee on drugs and money laundering head to use discretion and ethics to contemplate his future in the post after the panel's secretary was accused of involvement in the Nonthaburi bomb blast.

House Speaker Chai Chidchob confirmed that the appointment of Wasa Theprien as secretary of the House committee on drugs and money laundering had nothing to do with the House of Representatives as a whole since the panel chief has full authority on the matter.

Wasa was believed to be involved in transferring money to one of the suspects in the recent apartment bomb blast case in Nonthaburi's Bang Buathong district in which four people were killed.

Chai stated that he has ordered the Lower House Deputy Secretary-General to clarify to the public that Wasa is not Parliament official.

The House Speaker added that if the probe shows that Wasa has committed the wrongdoing, Chairman of the House Committee on drugs and money laundering, Wisut Chainarun, must show his responsibility on the matter and it is entirely up to his discretion and political ethics.

Asked whether the House panel on ethics would intervene to probe Wasa's alleged wrongdoing, Chai said the committee will not do so unless an official complaint is filed.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-13

[animatic]

Wisut Chainarun, must show his responsibility on the matter and it is entirely up to his discretion and political ethics.

Well there we go, problem is solved.

He'll just fall on his sword for the good of the country, since we know

how strong TRT / PPP / PTP party member ethics is historically.

Insert ironic sarcasm icon here ^

[Robby nz]

Every day now we are seeing new 'evidence' coming out that provides links back to not only the reds but to PTP.

It would seem that the DSI and the police are starting to do a good job and to get on top of the mess.

Of course the denials are if anything coming in even faster than the arrests.

The House Speaker added that if the probe shows that Wasa has committed the wrongdoing, Chairman of the House Committee on drugs and money laundering, Wisut Chainarun, must show his responsibility on the matter and it is entirely up to his discretion and political ethics.

Liked that bit about Wisut's "discretion and political ethics".

Wonder if he knows what that means.

Incidently has anyone else noticed that the daily bombings have stopped since the factory blew up?

[otherstuff1957]

Chai Chidchob lecturing someone about ethics??? I think I just saw a pig fly past my window!!

[Buchholz]

House Committee Chair pledges resignation if aide linked to blast fails to clarify

BANGKOK, Oct 13 - The Chairman of Thailand's lower house of Parliament Committee on Money Laundering on Wednesday said he is ready to resign from his post if the secretary of his Committee suspected for her involvement in last Tuesday's Nonthaburi apartment explosion fails to clarify her role in the case.

Wisut Chainarun, Puea Thai Party MP for Phayao, speaking in his capacity as Chairman of the lower house committee on money laundering and narcotics prevention and suppression, spoke after Wasa Theprien, 25, committee secretary, was linked to a suspect in the bombing at Bang Bua Thong apartment which killed four persons, including bomb maker Samai Wongsuwan last week.

Police said Ms Wasa was found to have transferred money to the wanted prime suspect Kasi Ditthanarat.

Mr Wisut said he is prepared to resign from the House Committee Chairmanship if Ms Wasa cannot clarify with authorities her involvement with the transfer of funds to Mr Kasit.

Mr Wisut said the committee secretary and a businessman who asked her to transfer the money will report to explain the matter to investigators Friday in order to express their innocence in the case.

The Chairman earlier said he was informed by Ms Wasa, who is his daughter's friend, that she made the financial transaction to the suspect at the request of a businessman and was paid Bt500 for doing the favour.

The MP however refused to disclose the name of the businessman.

As I asked the businessman, he conceded that he had asked Ms Wasa to transfer the money to Mr Kasi one day after the bombing, but he did not know that Mr Kasi is a suspect in the incident, according to Mr Wisut.

Mr Wisut said he will call a meeting of the House Committee October 21 so that members can clarify the case directly.

Mr Wisut himself was among a group of individuals and companies on the close-watch list of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) for allegedly financing the anti-government Red Shirt movement, but his name was later dropped from the list as no evidence linked him to the case.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Chai Chidchob said on Wednesday Ms Wasa is not an official of the parliament and he does not know her.

Mr Chai said it is the duty of the concerned House Chairman to consider and probe the case, explaining as Chairman, he is authorised to appoint advisers and a secretary without parliamentary approval.

When asked whether Mr Wisut should take responsibility by resigning from his post if his committee secretary is found connected to the bombing, Mr Chai said it depends on morality of each person, but personally he thinks Mr Wisut and other committee members did not do anything wrong.

"The matter is criminal case in which police have to conduct the investigation." However, the Lower House has Ethics Committee to probe the case if requested," said Mr Chai.

Regarding further measures to prevent any repetition of the problem, the House Speaker said members of parliament should adhere to moral principles as security measures at Parliament may not be able to prevent every incident if someone really intends to commit an offense.

-- TNA 2010-10-13

[rubl]

When asked whether Mr Wisut should take responsibility by resigning from his post if his committee secretary is found connected to the bombing, Mr Chai said it depends on morality of each person, but personally he thinks Mr Wisut and other committee members did not do anything wrong.

"The matter is criminal case in which police have to conduct the investigation." However, the Lower House has Ethics Committee to probe the case if requested," said Mr Chai.

How come I think if this had been a Dem's MP k. Jatuporn would already have filed a few cases against the perpetrator ?

[AleG]

So, was Ms. Wasa deferential enough to drop by the police station for a little chat yesterday or she's sill busy with other things?

[globalmenace]

This guy looks like the motorcycle thugs. Any background on this fine gentleman? Educated? Previous criminal background? Or just a low-rent gangster...

[otherstuff1957]

Well, it's Saturday and there's no news about Ms. Wasa's little chat with the police.... Either she hasn't bothered to turn herself in or else the police won't make any statements because it might embarrass an important person!

I suspect that this is the last that we will hear about her or her boss.

[rubl]

From the Nation ( http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/10/16/politics/Businessman-says-he-was-&039;duped-into-giving-mon-30140223.html ):

Businessman says he was 'duped into giving money to suspect'

By The Nation

A businessman implicated in a fatal bombing incident this month has told police he was duped into giving money to a prime suspect in the case, according to a high-ranking official in Chiang Mai.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official yesterday said Surachai Inta, a businessman from Bangkok, admitted asking Wasa Theprian to transfer Bt50,000 to Kasi Ditthanarat.

"But he claims he was cheated," the same official quoted Surachai as saying. "He says he has suffered damages and has a sound explanation to produce to authorities."

The same source said Surachai fell short of divulging anything further, though. "He says he's going to speak directly to related officials in Bangkok."

An arrest warrant has been issued for Kasi.

Both Surachai and Wasa have met with Chiang Mai police. They are now in custody.

Their case has caught the media spotlight, because Kasi was seen bringing a red-shirt guard to a rented room at an apartment building in Nonthaburi on October 5. A bomb then went off inside the room, very likely accidentally, killing four people and injuring many others.

A day later, Bt50,000 went into Kasi's bank account from a deposit made at a bank in Parliament.

Wasa, the secretary to the House committee on anti-money-laundering and anti-narcotics measures, was identified as the depositor.

The high-ranking official in Chiang Mai yesterday said Wasa had maintained that she made the deposit just because Surachai asked her to do so.

"She claims she had put cash in her bank account first and transferred the amount to Kasi's account later only to make her passbook look nice when she applied for credit cards," the official said.

This official said Wasa was interested in speaking directly to media too, but was concerned that the case might be blown out of proportion.

"She has now strongly dismissed a suggestion that she is a minor wife of Kasi," the same source continued.

Wasa has described herself as a close friend of Pheu Thai MP Wisut Chai-narun's daughter.

Wisut helped her get the job at Parliament. He chairs the House committee on anti-money laundering and anti-narcotics measures.

According to Wasa, she has seen Surachai coming to see Wisut several times and thus she agreed to help him make the money transfer.

Wisut, meanwhile, said he first met Surachai at Parliament but knew nothing of the controversial money transfer.

"Police will have to investigate that," he said.

[Buchholz]

Wisut Chainarun, Puea Thai Party MP for Phayao, speaking in his capacity as Chairman of the lower house committee on money laundering and narcotics prevention and suppression, spoke after Wasa Theprien, 25, committee secretary, was linked to a suspect in the bombing at Bang Bua Thong apartment which killed four persons, including bomb maker Samai Wongsuwan last week.

This guy looks like the motorcycle thugs. Any background on this fine gentleman? Educated? Previous criminal background? Or just a low-rent gangster...

Kasi isn't much better:

Police said Ms Wasa was found to have transferred money to the wanted prime suspect Kasi Ditthanarat.

As for Wisut, googling reveals he is a big aficionado of kwang.

What are kwang?

They are Hercules beetles that are pitted against one another in epic clashes:

Edited October 16, 2010 by Buchholz

[Pi Sek]

Does anyone know any details about how this has progressed?

Has there been anything in any news media? (I can't find anything.)

[craigt3365]

Wouldn't you think that the " secretary to the House committee on anti-money laundering" might be a tad suspicious of transferring money to a 3rd, supposedly unknown, party? I wonder what else she would do for B500.

Bill Clinton comes to mind...

Doubt it. Billy boy gets well over 100k USD per speaking engagement, probably much more. And together, they have made over 100 million since leaving the White House. Not bad.

Well, it's Saturday and there's no news about Ms. Wasa's little chat with the police.... Either she hasn't bothered to turn herself in or else the police won't make any statements because it might embarrass an important person!

I suspect that this is the last that we will hear about her or her boss.

Or maybe she had a visit that caused her to shut up. Like that other guy in jail who initially said he would spill the beans...then the red shirt guy visited him and he refused to talk any more....

[Pi Sek]

Well, it's Saturday and there's no news about Ms. Wasa's little chat with the police.... Either she hasn't bothered to turn herself in or else the police won't make any statements because it might embarrass an important person!

I suspect that this is the last that we will hear about her or her boss.

Or maybe she had a visit that caused her to shut up. Like that other guy in jail who initially said he would spill the beans...then the red shirt guy visited him and he refused to talk any more....

That's a pretty ambiguous post! Which other guy in jail? Which red shirt guy?

You might have a point, but the lack of detail is just asking for trouble... you surely know the M.O. on this forum by now!

Anyway, can I assume that this is 'forgotten' news? If so, that doesn't bear very well for the future. I've been here for 9 years now, and I still can't get over the atrocious reporting standards.

[Buchholz]

Does anyone know any details about how this has progressed?

Has there been anything in any news media? (I can't find anything.)

I've not seen a peep about it since my last post 2 weeks ago nor a follow-up on the Red Leaders that were in the employ of the government after being appointed to House Committees by PRT Members of Parliament.