Bangkok Van Bombing: 11 People Arrested So Far

[Jai Dee]

11 PEOPLE NABBED AFTER EVIDENCES FOUND THEY WERE INVOLVED IN VAN BOMBING

11 people allegedly involved in the bombing of a passenger van in Bangkok have been arrested so far. In the meantime police are asking the passenger van operators in Rangsit (รังสิต) to step forward and provide more information about their plights, so that police can prosecute those behind the scene.

11 alleged people were brought to Pratunam Chulalongkorn (ประตูน้ำจุฬาลงกรณ์) police station and are being held there for further interrogation.

Region 1 Provincial Police Commissioner Wut Phuawet (วุฒิ พัวเวส) yesterday had a meeting with about 300 operators of passenger vans in the Rangsit area to acquire information about illicit fare-collection by influential figures, in order to compile the problems and find a long-term solution.

Van operators yesterday voiced their concern over their own safety should the issue become quiet. Most of them saw that the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority should help them by officially making the passenger vans public transportation vehicles.

Police Lieutenant General Wut admitted the bombing of a van that ran between Rangsit and Victory Monument was a defiant act by mafias, and affirmed that utmost prosecution will take place against those involved.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

Defense minister said that no arrest warrants have been issued for a lieutenant-general suspected of involvement in the bombing of the vans in BKK.

Defense Minister General Thammarak Issarangkul na Ayudhaya (ธรรมรักษ์ อิศรางกูร ณ อยุธยา) insisted that no arrest warrants have been issued for a lieutenant-general suspected of involvement in the bombing of the vans, as no charges have been filed. However, he said that if found guilty, the official will face maximum punishments.

General Thammarak commented on the progress of the bombing of vans in Future Park Rangsit Department Store that no charges have been filed against the suspected lieutenant-general yet, but when the charges are filed, the accused will have to be dismissed from work temporarily. He said that no arrest warrants have been issued for the suspect, adding that it is the police’s duty to investigate whether the lieutenant-general in question is related to the bombing. He said that the suspect will face maximum punishments if found guilty. He said that he has reiterated to subordinates to work to the best of their abilities, adding that they will face maximum penalties if found guilty.

General Thammarak said that the military will not intervene in the rally tomorrow, which is aimed at demanding the premier’s resignation, adding that military officials will follow the situation in their headquarters only.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 Febuary 2006

[Jai Dee]

Evidence of fee collection on passenger vans by influential figures in Rangsit area was given to police

Evidences of fee collection by influential figures have been submitted to police by passenger van operators in Rangsit.

Police Inspector-General Seriphisut Temiyawet (เสรีพิศุทธ์ เตมียาเวส) had called in the owner of the van that was earlier bombed in Rangsit for further questioning. A working committee has also been erected to file papers and ask police investigators in the Rangsit area to bring the involved people for legal proceeding.

Yesterday, the owner of the bombed van presented the police with a CD that recorded a negotiation regarding fees, between influential figures and van operators.

The owner of the bombed van said that the main influential figure responsible, a soldier with Lieutenant-Colonel rank, had cruel behaviors and had summoned van operators for meetings many times.

The victim also revealed that a middle-ranking policeman who has been transferred to another station used to be involved as well.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 Febuary 2006

[Jai Dee]

Soldier accused of being behind the bombing of a van in Rangsit was called in to acknowledge charges

The lieutenant-colonel who has been accused of being responsible for the bombing of a passenger van in Rangsit has been called in to acknowledge the charge on him. Police are confident they have enough evidence to prosecute the soldier, who has declined the charges.

Yesterday, Lt. Col. Somnuk Iemsakul (สมนึก เอี่ยมสกุล) acknowledged the charges imposed on him for the case where a passenger van that runs the Rangsit-Victory Monument route was bombed. Deputy Commissioner of the Region 1 Provincial Police, Police Major General Bunlert Nanthawisit (บุญเลิศ นันทวิสิทธ์), said that the lieutenant colonel declined all charges but provided cooperation with interrogators. The man explained that he was involved with passenger van operations as a member of the Senate's committee that regulated passenger vans.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Bunlert said it would take 10 days to gather witnesses and evidence in completing the case documents. Following the interrogation, Lt. Col. Somnuk's house in Pathumthani was searched, and police found a large number of relevant documents.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 Febuary 2006

[ilyushin]

watch the parking at Future Park Rangsit.

[Jai Dee]

Minister of Justice indicated he already assigned the Rights and Liberties Protection Department to assist the victim in the Rangsit van bombing case involving inluential figure

Justice Minister Chitchai Wanasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) has indicated that he already sent the matter of providing assistance to the owner of the van which was bombed in Rangsit to the Rights and Liberties Protection Department.

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Chitchai spoke of the passenger van bombing case involving influential figures, saying that he will expedite the processes in the case. Meanwhile the suppression police and local police have been sent into the area to protect the victim.

Police General Chitchai said the problem was of the recurring type, and the suppression effort has to be continued. He said that currently the center for the fight against influential figures is awaiting orders from the Prime Minister's Office that would concern various kinds of suppression which would help clarify the tasks of each agency in the whole effort of suppressing mafia groups throughout the country.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 Febuary 2006