Ex-Policeman Gets 38 Years For Firing Rocket At Thai Defence Ministry

[webfact]

Ex-policeman gets 38 years for firing rocket at Defence Ministry

The Nation

A former Sa Kaew policeman was sentenced yesterday to serve 38 years in prison for firing a rocket at the Defence Ministry last year, causing personal injury and property damage.

Pol Lance Corporal Banthit Sitthithoom, 44, who used to be attached to the Wang Nam Yen Police Station, was convicted of five counts in connection with launching a rocket-propelled grenade at the Defence Ministry on the night of March 20 last year.

Public prosecutors said the attack by Banthit and his accomplice, who is still on the run, wounded Sak Harnsongkram and smashed a telephone cable belonging to TOT Plc.

The rocket strike was staged to try to force the government to dissolve the House but it sowed terror and confusion among the public and also supported the terror tactics of the United Front fro Democracy against Dictatorship, they said.

Police seized an RPG launcher, three M67 grenades and a machine gun with 48 rounds of ammunition from Banthit, they added.

In its verdict, the Criminal Court cited prosecution witnesses who met and talked to Banthit outside the Defence Ministry shortly before the attack and could clearly recall his face because the area was well lit.

The court said another witness saw Banthit jumping out of his Toyota pickup truck after it sped up to the spot and hit something, breaking its left side mirror.

Investigators found Banthit's handprints on the abandoned pickup and a jacket with traces of his DNA left inside.

The court was convinced the pickup was used in the bomb attack because it was caught by a security camera racing up to the spot where the attack occurred and a flash was seen coming from the truck.

Investigators also found traces of gunpowder in the truck so it was believed that the rocket was launched from the truck.

Of Banthit's 38-year jail term, two years were for using forged official documents, 20 years for launching a bomb attack, five years for possessing explosives, five years for possessing a grenade launcher, five years for possessing a gun and one year for carrying illegal firearms in public.

-- The Nation 2011-12-14

[ratcatcher]

What a waste of a life. He's 44 now and, if he manages to stay alive, he will be 82 after serving his 38 years. A life sentence for being a fool. Sad really, but he was a policeman who ought to have known better. But that's a whole new subject.

[Buchholz]

Additional background information on the RPG attack and its motivations...

"The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) announced on Friday night that it has arrested an ex-policeman and another suspect who allegedly confessed that they were hired to attack the Temple of the Emerald Buddha with RPG rockets.

DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said former Pol Lance Corporal Bandit Sitthitum, 43, and Supanat Ui-yawet, 43, were paid 500,000 baht by Pol Lt Col Supachai Tuikaewkam, whose wife, Juriporn Sintuprai, is a red-shirt leader from Pattaya.

The incident took place on March 30, and it was understood at the time that the target of the planned attack was the Defence Ministry, a short distance from the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Bandit and his accomplice allegedly fired the RPG rocket from a side street across a small canal at the back of the Ministry's building, but the attack failed after the rocket got caught in power lines and fell short.

Mr Tharit claimed Pol Lance Corporal Bandit had confessed that the real target of the planned attack was the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in order to create panic and chaos because the temple is a national symbol revered by all Thais."

[whybother]

What a waste of a life. He's 44 now and, if he manages to stay alive, he will be 82 after serving his 38 years. A life sentence for being a fool. Sad really, but he was a policeman who ought to have known better. But that's a whole new subject.

He was a Thai policeman ... so didn't know better.

[travelmann]

Theyd have been better off trying to kill their target with a car as any underage driver with no licence and using Mummys car will tell you!!! Did she get 38 years?? Oh I forgot "she never meant it"

[pimay11]

Additional background information on the RPG attack and its motivations...

"The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) announced on Friday night that it has arrested an ex-policeman and another suspect who allegedly confessed that they were hired to attack the Temple of the Emerald Buddha with RPG rockets.

DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said former Pol Lance Corporal Bandit Sitthitum, 43, and Supanat Ui-yawet, 43, were paid 500,000 baht by Pol Lt Col Supachai Tuikaewkam, whose wife, Juriporn Sintuprai, is a red-shirt leader from Pattaya.

The incident took place on March 30, and it was understood at the time that the target of the planned attack was the Defence Ministry, a short distance from the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Bandit and his accomplice allegedly fired the RPG rocket from a side street across a small canal at the back of the Ministry's building, but the attack failed after the rocket got caught in power lines and fell short.

Mr Tharit claimed Pol Lance Corporal Bandit had confessed that the real target of the planned attack was the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in order to create panic and chaos because the temple is a national symbol revered by all Thais."

Any information on the fate of Pol Lt Col Supachai Tuikaewkam, whose wife, Juriporn Sintuprai, is a red-shirt leader from Pattaya? Has he also been arrested and charged?

[Randee]

what an insane act to do. kind've like committing suicide without actually dieing

[jalansanitwong]

He wont serve 38 years. Probably get released during one of Thailand s bizarre prison amnesties in 7 or 8 years time. This is not the 1960,s or 70's.

[khaowong1]

And if you ask any Thai anywhere, they will tell you they are a Buddhist. For a real Buddhist to attack a holy temple is unthinkable. But I keep having to remind my self, I'm in Thailand.

[anon7867763]

Additional background information on the RPG attack and its motivations...

"The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) announced on Friday night that it has arrested an ex-policeman and another suspect who allegedly confessed that they were hired to attack the Temple of the Emerald Buddha with RPG rockets.

DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said former Pol Lance Corporal Bandit Sitthitum, 43, and Supanat Ui-yawet, 43, were paid 500,000 baht by Pol Lt Col Supachai Tuikaewkam, whose wife, Juriporn Sintuprai, is a red-shirt leader from Pattaya.

The incident took place on March 30, and it was understood at the time that the target of the planned attack was the Defence Ministry, a short distance from the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Bandit and his accomplice allegedly fired the RPG rocket from a side street across a small canal at the back of the Ministry's building, but the attack failed after the rocket got caught in power lines and fell short.

Mr Tharit claimed Pol Lance Corporal Bandit had confessed that the real target of the planned attack was the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in order to create panic and chaos because the temple is a national symbol revered by all Thais."

Any information on the fate of Pol Lt Col Supachai Tuikaewkam, whose wife, Juriporn Sintuprai, is a red-shirt leader from Pattaya? Has he also been arrested and charged?

Seems like this guys taking the rap and the big fish gets away

[Morgo]

Lucky he didn't kill anyone, or he would have been sentenced to a long prison term.

[Orac]

No mention of the other 8 attacks in Bangkok he was implicated in???

Police said he was a highprofile suspect found to have been implicated in eight previous bomb attacks throughout Bangkok.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/05/01/national/Ex-policeman-held-in-RPG-case-30128366.html

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

That'll really teach him...and others... Don't you DARE mess with the TOT's phone lines, or you'll face a LONG stretch in the pokey....

But ram a van on the expressway as an illegal, underage driver and kill a bunch of people, or crash a bus because you're sleeping or drunk at the wheel, or run a club where carelessness and code violations leaves dozens dead, and you won't have a care in the world.

Edited December 14, 2011 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[sungod]

So, in a nation where grassing is a national pastime, who did he finger for hiring him?

I would imagine another case of double standards where not only is this guy the executor of the crime, but also the fall guy. Fat cats get off again.

[marquess]

That'll really teach him...and others... Don't you DARE mess with the TOT's phone lines, or you'll face a LONG stretch in the pokey....

But ram a van on the expressway as an illegal, underage driver and kill a bunch of people, or crash a bus because you're sleeping or drunk at the wheel, or run a club where carelessness and code violations leaves dozens dead, and you won't have a care in the world.

I think that above just about sums things up, nine people dead on the tollway and that girl is still walking around like she did nothing, ram your Benz into people at a bus stop and kill someone-- not problem too.

[otherstuff1957]

Additional background information on the RPG attack and its motivations...

"The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) announced on Friday night that it has arrested an ex-policeman and another suspect who allegedly confessed that they were hired to attack the Temple of the Emerald Buddha with RPG rockets.

DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said former Pol Lance Corporal Bandit Sitthitum, 43, and Supanat Ui-yawet, 43, were paid 500,000 baht by Pol Lt Col Supachai Tuikaewkam, whose wife, Juriporn Sintuprai, is a red-shirt leader from Pattaya.

The incident took place on March 30, and it was understood at the time that the target of the planned attack was the Defence Ministry, a short distance from the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Bandit and his accomplice allegedly fired the RPG rocket from a side street across a small canal at the back of the Ministry's building, but the attack failed after the rocket got caught in power lines and fell short.

Mr Tharit claimed Pol Lance Corporal Bandit had confessed that the real target of the planned attack was the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in order to create panic and chaos because the temple is a national symbol revered by all Thais."

Any information on the fate of Pol Lt Col Supachai Tuikaewkam, whose wife, Juriporn Sintuprai, is a red-shirt leader from Pattaya? Has he also been arrested and charged?

Interestingly enough, all of the references to the Lt. Col & his wife on the internet lead right back to this story. If either of them were arrested or charged with anything, it certainly wasn't reported in the English language news.

I guess Bandit took the fall for them.

[thaihome]

who used to be attached to the Wang Nam Yen Police Station

Every storey on this makes a point to mention this. Do you think they are trying to say something?

TH

[Orac]

Additional background information on the RPG attack and its motivations...

"The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) announced on Friday night that it has arrested an ex-policeman and another suspect who allegedly confessed that they were hired to attack the Temple of the Emerald Buddha with RPG rockets.

DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said former Pol Lance Corporal Bandit Sitthitum, 43, and Supanat Ui-yawet, 43, were paid 500,000 baht by Pol Lt Col Supachai Tuikaewkam, whose wife, Juriporn Sintuprai, is a red-shirt leader from Pattaya.

The incident took place on March 30, and it was understood at the time that the target of the planned attack was the Defence Ministry, a short distance from the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Bandit and his accomplice allegedly fired the RPG rocket from a side street across a small canal at the back of the Ministry's building, but the attack failed after the rocket got caught in power lines and fell short.

Mr Tharit claimed Pol Lance Corporal Bandit had confessed that the real target of the planned attack was the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in order to create panic and chaos because the temple is a national symbol revered by all Thais."

Any information on the fate of Pol Lt Col Supachai Tuikaewkam, whose wife, Juriporn Sintuprai, is a red-shirt leader from Pattaya? Has he also been arrested and charged?

Interestingly enough, all of the references to the Lt. Col & his wife on the internet lead right back to this story. If either of them were arrested or charged with anything, it certainly wasn't reported in the English language news.

I guess Bandit took the fall for them.

Seems about right for the english language press here. The article from The Nation covering the same announcements only refered to 'a man with ties to a political party' but was published a day after the BP article that is shown above so they didn't even go as far as naming the guy that Bandit Sitthitum (or Bundit Sitthichum as The Nation refer to him) fingered.

Either way there seems little effort in following up stories by the press here, possibly for fear of upsetting the police who seem to do a very poor job of it once a fall guy has been found.

[Buchholz]

Additional background information on the RPG attack and its motivations...

"The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) announced on Friday night that it has arrested an ex-policeman and another suspect who allegedly confessed that they were hired to attack the Temple of the Emerald Buddha with RPG rockets.

DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said former Pol Lance Corporal Bandit Sitthitum, 43, and Supanat Ui-yawet, 43, were paid 500,000 baht by Pol Lt Col Supachai Tuikaewkam, whose wife, Juriporn Sintuprai, is a red-shirt leader from Pattaya.

The incident took place on March 30, and it was understood at the time that the target of the planned attack was the Defence Ministry, a short distance from the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Bandit and his accomplice allegedly fired the RPG rocket from a side street across a small canal at the back of the Ministry's building, but the attack failed after the rocket got caught in power lines and fell short.

Mr Tharit claimed Pol Lance Corporal Bandit had confessed that the real target of the planned attack was the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in order to create panic and chaos because the temple is a national symbol revered by all Thais."

Any information on the fate of Pol Lt Col Supachai Tuikaewkam, whose wife, Juriporn Sintuprai, is a red-shirt leader from Pattaya? Has he also been arrested and charged?

Seems like this guys taking the rap and the big fish gets away

Does Supachai have Parkinson's disease?

.

[rotary]

Maybe he was just confused and thought he was at the rocket festival in north east Thailand..........wait........maybe that could be used as an excuse in court!

Appeal, retrial please

[ratcatcher]

Lucky he didn't kill anyone, or he would have been sentenced to a long prison term.

How much longer would you like? He's 44 years old add 38 year sentence and If he lives, he'll be 82 when they kick him out.

But chances are in a few years he will get a pardon or amnesty or some consideration.

I am sure our dedicated follower of fashion, Khun Chalerm knows who was behind it, but he hasn't dropped any cute clues yet.

[Fookhaht]

That'll really teach him...and others... Don't you DARE mess with the TOT's phone lines, or you'll face a LONG stretch in the pokey....

Don't mess with TOT. We've all learned that at one time or another.

[ralphlsasser]

Theyd have been better off trying to kill their target with a car as any underage driver with no licence and using Mummys car will tell you!!! Did she get 38 years?? Oh I forgot "she never meant it"

YOU, my friend are SPOT ON. Like the neice of a popular politician in Supanburi that was 16 years old, in a borrowed car, no drivers license, talking on a mobile phone, speeding on the elevated road, that ran into the back of a van, knocking it over the guard rail killing 7 people. Nothing has ever been said about that after the "I'm sorry" that I know of. Really sad.

All one needs is money or influence and they can get away with murder, literaly.

Edited December 14, 2011 by ralphlsasser

[bridge2bridge]

WOW i wish we had HARSH penalties like this for the crims in Australia.

5 years for having a gun-- Australia maybe a small fine.

20 years for launching a rocket-- Australia maybe 6 months community work.

I wish our stupid lawmakers and judges could do this.

Australia would be more safe.

:D :D