Kamnan Poh Arrested In Bangkok

[webfact]

Fugitive 'Kamnan Poh' arrested at Bangkok tollbooth

By Shane Danaher

Somchai "Kamnon Poh" Kheunploem

BANGKOK: -- Somchai Khunploem, a longstanding political and underworld figure who has been wanted for several months by the police, was arrested today at an expressway tollbooth in Bangkok.

Somchai, who also goes by the sobriquet “Kamnan Poh,” was sentenced en-absentia last year to 25 years in prison for the 2003 hiring an assassin to murder Prayoon Sitthichoke, the head of tambon Samet in the Mueang district of Chon Buri. Prior to his arrest, authorities speculated that he was hiding out in Cambodia.

For years, Somchai has served [more...]

Full story: http://www.coconutsb...gkok-tollbooth/

-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2013-01-30

[DiNiro]

Every year, high level government officials made their way to Kamnam Poh's house for his birthday party.(while he was in hiding)

Funny.

[Thai at Heart]

Who shopped him? How come the red police did this?

[xkmasada]

Thaksin must be so angry that the police arrested him LOL

[Arkady]

I wonder what he was planning to do with the shotgun. He used to like to boast to the media that he carried a .357 magnum at all times and dared assassins to try their luck. He doesn't seem to have changed his appearance at all and has probably been living in Thailand most of the time and perhaps got cocky. There must be a lot of people who knew and aided and abetted his flight from justice, including his doctor at Samitivej, the minister of culture and many others. Of course nothing will happen to any of them.

Can't wait to see how this unfolds and how the son is going to keep his dad out of prison after his convictions have been confirmed by the Supreme Court and he should be doing 30 years in jail. The first thing will be claims of serious illness to be sure but that should mean the prison hospital chained to the bedstead, not Samitivej. Meanwhile, let's see if he faces charges of illegally carrying a gun in public. I wonder who gave him the shotgun and if it was a registered weapon.

It now seems that he was arrested after leaving Samitivej. Perhaps he was spotted by other patients and reported. I think even I might have recognised him.

Edited January 30, 2013 by Arkady

[Buchholz]

Still amazed at how this guy goes on the lam and his 2 sons get elected (one - Governor of Chon Buri, the other - Mayor of Pattaya).

Surprised that he was recognized at the hospital as well, especially as he has been out of the limelight for quite awhile.

An apparent easy life as a fugitive on the run for years haven't taken much of a toll. He hasn't changed much:

Daily News - Jan. 30, 2013

Also, if I may, a few minor corrections in the family tree (with so many players, it's understandably easy to confuse some on the lengthy roster of team members).

Sonthaya, his son, former Thai Rak Thai Party MP and Sports/Tourism Minister in Thaksin's Cabinet. He's currently the Culture Minister in Yingluck's Cabinet:

Sukumol, his daughter-in-law (Sonthaya's wife), former Culture Minister in Yingluck's Cabinet. She stepped down when her husband's five-year ban from politics for electoral fraud expired so that he could take the Cabinet position:

Wittaya, his son, President of the Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organisation. Also President of the Chonburi Football Club:

Ittipol, his son, Former Thai Rak Thai Party MP and current Mayor of Pattaya (and long-time Boy Scout):

.

Edited January 30, 2013 by Buchholz

[BuddhistVirus]

Time wounds all heals...

[ratcatcher]

Surely he wouldn't be entitled to get bail, and should be transported directly to jail.

You are quite correct, he's a convicted murderer and should be thrown in the (septic) tank with all the other excrement of his ilk.

Throw away the key and leave the sick old piece of crap to rot. Nice amulet BTW.

A couple of the flunkies beside him seem to be pleased to see him.

Edited January 30, 2013 by ratcatcher

[Buchholz]

He was picked up by police when his Lexus stopped at the Pattanakarn expressway toll gate.

Under the seats, police found a shotgun and six bullets.

Old habits never die.

A fugitive convicted murderer carrying a shotgun and ammo in his Lexus.

.

[saroq]

Still amazed at how this guy goes on the lam and his 2 sons get elected (one - Governor of Chon Buri, the other - Mayor of Pattaya).

Surprised that he was recognized at the hospital as well, especially as he has been out of the limelight for quite awhile.

Not so amazing. The Kennedy's also did well politically, despite a shady family past.

[Buchholz]

No doubt he'll make bail in no time. Not like he's a flight risk or anything....

He'll have to try a different tactic to stay out of prison as there's no cause to give him bail while he appeals one of his convictions.

He had already appealed to the highest court, Supreme Court, which upheld his other conviction for corruption and sentenced him to three and a half years.

He'll likely go for the, "I'm too sick" defense to keep out of jail.

He successfully used that several times in the past to delay court appearances (that is, before he took off and became a fugitive).

.

[Mobi]

One can nearly always find a few good points about major mafia types - helping the poor, donating to charity, etc, etc. But those 'good' points are far outweighed by the bad & often the 'good' is financed by the bad.

Al Capone made donations to various charitable endeavours using the money he made from his activities, and was viewed by many to be a "modern-day Robin Hood" Didn't stop him doing a lengthy spell in clink for tax evasion... I wonder if Khun Poh has paid any taxes lately?

BTW, maybe I'm wrong, but aren't most captured criminals (and suspects) in Thailand immediately put in handcuffs?

The photos covering this arrest don't bode well... if he does go inside, he will probably lord it in luxury, in a similar way that Capone et al used to.

[webfact]

KAMNAN POH

Fugitive Somchai Khunpluem arrested following tip off

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police were able to arrest fugitive Somchai Khunpluem after receiving a tip-off about two months ago that he was visiting Samitivej Hospital for medical treatment, an informed source claimed Wednesday.

The tip was later confirmed with the source adding that Somchai used the name Kim sae Tang when he consulted his doctors. The police investigation revealed he usually changed routes to and from the hospital to avoid police though he regularly used the motorway.

The source claimed the investigation showed Somchai has no passport, causing police to believe that he did not flee abroad but instead remained at his residence in Bang Saen, Chon Buri. It had earlier been speculated that Somchai had escaped to Cambodia.

When police made the arrest, Somchai was found in his Lexus with a driver, a man and a woman.

Somchai Khunplome, alias Kamnan Poh and the father of Culture Minister Somchai, was arrested Wednesday in Bangkok’s Pattanakarn area after escaping a jail term of 25 years on a murder charge 10 years ago.

He was picked up by police when his Lexus stopped at the Pattanakarn expressway toll gate.

Somchai, former mayor of Tambon Sansuek administration in Chon Buri and an influential figure in Pattaya, was sentenced to 25 years in jail by the Supreme Court in 2012 for masterminding the murder of Tambon Tha Samet Kamnan Prayoon Sitthichoke at a wedding party in March 2003.

Somchai and another defendant, Passakorn Homhuan, 44, failed to show up for the reading of the verdict last year, so the Supreme Court read its ruling in their absence and issued arrest warrants for them.

Somchai was also sentenced in 2006 by the provincial court and Appeals Court to five years and four months in prison for corruption involving the sale of a site in a forest reserve in tambon Khao Maikaew in Chon Buri in 1992 for use as a garbage dump.

In that case, Somchai also failed to show up to hear the Supreme Court’s verdict, due to be read on April 7, 2006.

-- The Nation 2013-01-30

[Thai at Heart]

They moved a new head of police to chonburi 6 months ago. Brave man

[Buchholz]

No doubt he'll make bail in no time. Not like he's a flight risk or anything....

He does not even need to make bail. Several of his family members are government officials, and I am sure they can use their rank alone to bail him out. At least that seems to work for everyone else :-)

See previous post. There's really no cause to give him bail, even with his son using his Cabinet Minister position as collateral, on his corruption conviction.

By rights, he should be transferred to prison within a day or so to begin serving his time.

With the caveat, TIT, it'll be interesting to see what ploy he does use to avoid that.

Bad health leading to a plea on humanitarian reasons would be my bet.

..

Edited January 30, 2013 by Buchholz

[MegaRanter]

Well, I believe the arresting team all left their handcuffs behind at the office in their haste to make toll booth arrest the man.

I like his shirt, looks like a lacoste.

[webfact]

PHOTO GALLERY

Arrest of Somchai Khunpluem

The Nation

The Nation online collected photos of arrest of fugitive Somchai Khunpluem, alias Kamnan Poh on Wednesday.

Somchai was arrested in Bangkok’s Pattanakarn area after escaping a jail term of 25 years on murder case 10 years ago. He was rounded up by police when his Lexus stopped at the Lat Krabang motorway toll gate.

Found in his car were medicines for heart disease and high blood pressure. However, the medicine bags were in the name of Kim sae Tang, the identification he gave to the hospital to receive treatment. Under the seats, police found a shotgun and six bullets.

]

-- The Nation 2013-01-30

[kotsak]

TiT Style!

[Buchholz]

Fugitive 'Kamnan Poh' arrested at Bangkok tollbooth

By Shane Danaher

Somchai "Kamnon Poh" Kheunploem

BANGKOK: -- Somchai Khunploem, a longstanding political and underworld figure who has been wanted for several months by the police

Shane, 82 months does NOT equate to "several"

..

Edited January 30, 2013 by Buchholz

[siampolee]

He'll be OK, creatures Kamnan Poh are invariably made from a substance that won't sink thus he'll be at home in the The Eastern seaboard garbage dump floating around.

Much like he has been for the last few years.He'll no doubt be getting bail on a bad health ticket or due to having his head firmly affixed up a certain other criminals rectum..

[Buchholz]

The biggest building in Bang Saen is the Galaxy soapy massage place. No?

The biggest business, however, is The Tides Resort. It and several other very valuable properties in Bang Saen and Pattaya, eg. Sixty Six Condominium, are run by the Godfather's daughter, Jiraporn (below), as President of Bang Saen Mahanakorn Property Company Limited.

Additionally, several years back she sued the Anti-Money Laundering Commission, who seized millions from her as the receiver of ill-gotten gains from her father.

She lost the case.

.

Edited January 30, 2013 by Buchholz

[pedro01]

No doubt he'll make bail in no time. Not like he's a flight risk or anything....

He'll have to try a different tactic to stay out of prison as there's no cause to give him bail while he appeals one of his convictions.

He had already appealed to the highest court, Supreme Court, which upheld his other conviction for corruption and sentenced him to three and a half years.

He'll likely go for the, "I'm too sick" defense to keep out of jail.

He successfully used that several times in the past to delay court appearances (that is, before he took off and became a fugitive).

.

Just what I was thinking - he'll claim ill health now.

[Pimay1]

The biggest building in Bang Saen is the Galaxy soapy massage place. No?

The biggest business, however, is The Tides Resort. It and several other very valuable properties in Bang Saen and Pattaya, eg. Sixty Six Condominiums, are run by the Godfather's daughter, Jiraporn, as President of Bangsaen Mahanakorn Limited Partnership and Bangsaen Mahanakorn Property Company Limited.

Additionally, several years back she previously sued the Anti-Money Laundering Commission, who seized millions from her for forfeiture of bail that she had posted for her father's release.

She lost the case.

.

Is she married? With this kind of resume I might be interested. After all beauty is ony a light switch away.

[dcutman]

The biggest building in Bang Saen is the Galaxy soapy massage place. No?

The biggest business, however, is The Tides Resort. It and several other very valuable properties in Bang Saen and Pattaya, eg. Sixty Six Condominiums, are run by the Godfather's daughter, Jiraporn, as President of Bangsaen Mahanakorn Limited Partnership and Bangsaen Mahanakorn Property Company Limited.

Additionally, several years back she previously sued the Anti-Money Laundering Commission, who seized millions from her for forfeiture of bail that she had posted for her father's release.

She lost the case.

.

Is she married? With this kind of resume I might be interested. After all beauty is ony a light switch away.

Well in this case, I would suggest a razor as well

[Thai at Heart]

Well this is going to make for an interesting next cabinet meeting.

Really, what is the point in having kids on the cabinet staffed with ex chief of policemen alongside, if they nab your dad?

Cue some very embarrassing speeches about how they nabbed the fugitive who was apparently cunningly hiding in his house. Heads are going to roll over this when they should be praising it to the high heavens.

This will make great watching.

[DiNiro]

Well, I believe the arresting team all left their handcuffs behind at the office in their haste to make toll booth arrest the man.

I like his shirt, looks like a lacoste.

Well, I believe the arresting team all left their handcuffs behind at the office in their haste to make toll booth arrest the man.

I like his shirt, looks like a lacoste.

A conniving, murdering fugitive on the run, with a shotgun, gets tracked down by the police and he's walking around like a day in the park.

[CHANGOVER]

Well, I believe the arresting team all left their handcuffs behind at the office in their haste to make toll booth arrest the man.

I like his shirt, looks like a lacoste.

Well, I believe the arresting team all left their handcuffs behind at the office in their haste to make toll booth arrest the man.

I like his shirt, looks like a lacoste.

A conniving, murdering fugitive on the run, with a shotgun, gets tracked down by the police and he's walking around like a day in the park.

You seem surprised, which country do you live in?

[dunque]

Still amazed at how this guy goes on the lam and his 2 sons get elected (one - Governor of Chon Buri, the other - Mayor of Pattaya).

Surprised that he was recognized at the hospital as well, especially as he has been out of the limelight for quite awhile.

Nothing amazing, just typical of a fuedal, corrupt country.

If he has been in Thailand all this time, I wonder who has known of his whereabouts.

Yes, reminds one of the Kennedy's and the Bush's

[ableguy]

About time.

I was just wondering the other day where he might be. I was assuming he was still in Thailand, although rumour was Cambodia.

There was a party in my old Chon Buri house when he was convicted, nobody could believe it.

As KerryD says, how the heck is his family still in politics?

Nothing odd about his family being in politics still, think of the man who lives far away

[DiNiro]

Well, I believe the arresting team all left their handcuffs behind at the office in their haste to make toll booth arrest the man.

I like his shirt, looks like a lacoste.

Well, I believe the arresting team all left their handcuffs behind at the office in their haste to make toll booth arrest the man.

I like his shirt, looks like a lacoste.

A conniving, murdering fugitive on the run, with a shotgun, gets tracked down by the police and he's walking around like a day in the park.

You seem surprised, which country do you live in?

It's a complex situation.