Phuket Policeman Charged With Attempted Murder Still On Active Duty

[webfact]

Phuket policeman charged with attempted murder still on active duty
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A Phuket policeman charged with attempted murder after a violent attack on Valentine’s Day remains on active duty in Thalang, while police prepare their case for the prosecutor.

Sen Sgt Maj Wichit Dada of the Thalang Police was charged with attempted murder after he was accused of restraining a teenager while his son threatened the teen with his father’s handgun.

Sgt Wichit’s two sons, both under 18 years old, have also been charged with attempted murder over the incident, Thalang Police Superintendent Sirisak Wasasiri confirmed to the Phuket Gazette.

The move to press charges followed a teenage couple appealing to the Phuket Press Club for help after they were allegedly attacked by Sgt Wichit’s sons on February 14 (story here).

The teenage couple who appealed for public help have also been charged over the incident, Col Sirisak explained.

“The 17-year-old girl ‘Koy’ [not her real name] and her boyfriend, Benz Densiri, 18, have been charged with assault,” Col Sirisak said.

“However, despite earlier reports in the media, we do not have any CCTV footage of the incident. All we have are witness statements from the people involved – and they all claim that they are the victims,” he said.

The Gazette has repeatedly contacted Sgt Wichit, but he has yet to offer any explanation as to the sequence of events on February 14.

Meanwhile, Col Sirisak is waiting to complete procedural steps so he can hand the case over to the Phuket Public Prosecutor.

“We are waiting for the Juvenile Court to confirm whether or not any of the teenagers involved have criminal records. We are also waiting for a psychological report to confirm the youths are mentally fit to stand trial,” he said.

Once the reports have been received, the case will be handed to the prosecutor to decide whether the case will be heard in the Juvenile Court or the Provincial Court, he added.

Col Sirisak refuted allegations that Sgt Wichit was receiving special protection because he was a police officer and blankly denied media reports that Sgt Wichit was his official driver.

“Sgt Wichit has never been my driver. I saw some newspaper reports mention that he was and that he was under my protection. But that is not so, and even if he were my driver he would still have to answer to the law for this,” Col Sirisak said.

“Every step of this case must be fair. I want to see justice served for all parties in this case,” he added.

“Sgt Wichit remains tending to his regular duties because the accusation was not of a heinous crime and the trial has yet to start,” Col Sirisak said.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-policeman-charged-with-attempted-murder-still-on-active-duty-20836.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-04-20

[Kananga]

“We are waiting for the Juvenile Court to confirm whether or not any of the teenagers involved have criminal records."

However the tuk tuk drivers have blocked the roads because they dont want a bus on the island so we cant get the results.

PS it's not my fault.

[NamKangMan]

If "attempted murder" is not a "heinous crime" - WHAT IS????

[Kananga]

"Sgt Wichit’s two sons, both under 18 years old, have also been charged with attempted murder over the incident"

Charlem's legacy lives on...

[Kananga]

If "attempted murder" is not a "heinous crime" - WHAT IS????

Opening a legal business catering to tourists from your own country

Trying to run an independent taxi company

etc etc

Edited April 20, 2013 by Kananga

[gl555]

"Col Sirisak refuted allegations that Sgt Wichit was receiving special
protection because he was a police officer and blankly denied media
reports that Sgt Wichit was his official driver."

Riiiiiiight!

[Redhawk]

The whole world of justice is going to laugh over Thailand, this country is falling back behind third- and fourth world countries, I am waiting for the opening of the frontiers, people high on the ladder falling deeper.

[Martstar]

How, in the name of everything that is to do with law and appropriate approaches to those who have broken them... can a police officer accused of holding someone whilst their son holds their service revolver threatening to shoot someone else... at this stage irrespective of if they did or not... and obviously they were there and something occurred to be charged..... still be one active duty....

'amazing Thailand' means, its an amazing miracle if something happens that makes any sense at all....

[Locationthailand]

"Sgt Wichit’s two sons, both under 18 years old, have also been charged with attempted murder over the incident"

Charlem's legacy lives on...

If it's good enough for the top 'cop' then any half smart lawyer can use the 'precedent' when it comes to the court case!!!

Edited April 20, 2013 by Locationthailand

[DRONGOH]

Of course he is still on duty. He hasn't finish the job yet!

[Baerboxer]

All are claiming to be victims, no independant witnesses, no CCTV. Don't see this going anywhere. That's why he's still on active duty.

[gunnyd]

All are claiming to be victims, no independant witnesses, no CCTV. Don't see this going anywhere. That's why he's still on active duty.

"The move to press charges followed a teenage couple appealing to the Phuket Press Club for help after they were allegedly attacked by Sgt Wichit’s sons on February 14.

The teenage couple who appealed for public help have also been charged over the incident, Col Sirisak explained.

“The 17-year-old girl ‘Koy’ [not her real name] and her boyfriend, Benz Densiri, 18, have been charged with assault,” Col Sirisak said.

Plus what is above IMHO sounds like false accusations from a couple with friends in the press. Can't have the BiB lose face, otherwise this would have never seen the light of day. You can bet that these charges on the teens will be dropped, after they recant. Blackmail is all it is, just because it doesn't involve cash, as far as been reported, it is extortion, and the victim has his freedom on the line. You can bet the officer wishes it was just simple blackmail for cash. Payback for the action of the sons is being visited on the father, it's that simple as I see it, and it is pretty 'effed up. Not all of the BiB are corrupt. Of course I could be wrong...

[khunken]

Not surprising when actual convicted murderers (in Kalasin) are given bail. BIB too.

I feel sorry for the 2 victims because they have no chance against a Chalerm-style family.

[cup-O-coffee]

Phuket sounds almost as bad as the South. Whoever said it is a Muslim problem down there has certainly been missing the headlines about Phuket and the way things are shaping up.