Bangkok: Gunman fires at Criminal Court building

[webfact]

Gunman fires at Criminal Court building

BANGKOK: -- Gunman fired at the building of the Criminal Court on Ratchadapisek road last night shattering its front wall glass panel.

Investigator of Phaholyothin station police Maj Komsan Bodikan was reported the incident from the building personnel at 9.30 p.m. last night and immediately went to inspect the scene.

The bullet pierced through the wall glass panel on the seventh-floor of the Criminal Court building. There was no injury.

The officer said it was not known what caliber or type of gun was used in the firing as the police would seek cooperation from the forensic police to find the bullet.

He also said it was not known of the perpetrator fired from a running motorcycle or car as the police have to check from several CCTV cameras in the area to find out the gunman.

Motive of the shooting was not known.

But earlier the Criminal Court has rejected the police for the issuance of warrant for the arrest of some gunmen who they claimed were responsible for the fierce shoot-out at Laksi intersection between red-shirt supporters of the government, and the anti-government protesters.

The shooting was claimed by the police to be started by gunmen from the anti-government protest site.

One of the gunmen caught in the video footage and widely shared on the social network was dubbed “popcorn gunman” as he covered his assault rifle with popcorn paper bag and wore mask. His face was also shown and put on the police website seeking public cooperation for his arrest.

The Criminal Court also rejected the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to extend the detention period of a People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader for seven more days when it expires Monday for defiance of the state of emergency. The court ordered the DSI to free him Monday after considering the week-long period used to detain suspect was sufficient, and the suspect did not pose any threat to national security.

But DSI said that it would seek extension again Monday but now press insurrection charge on him which carries maximum death penalty.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/gunman-fires-criminal-court-building/


-- Thai PBS 2014-02-15

[Bluespunk]

The Criminal Court also rejected the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to extend the detention period of a People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader for seven more days when it expires Monday for defiance of the state of emergency. The court ordered the DSI to free him Monday after considering the week-long period used to detain suspect was sufficient, and the suspect did not pose any threat to national security.

But DSI said that it would seek extension again Monday but now press insurrection charge on him which carries maximum death penalty.'

Erm, shouldn't this be the lead aspect of the story or at least a news article in itself? Almost as if Thai PBS is trying to bury the story. I don't believe they are, but could be seen that way……...

Edited February 15, 2014 by Bluespunk

[chainarong]

If you have seen this building , firing a shot at a window, is sure going to change the course of history, what a spiff, perhaps this person should head for Burma to see the sharman and get a prediction , I recommend a tank , even that would probably stand out in the BKK traffic, this wasted space probably got their rocks off over this , if you are not going to do something proper, don't do it at all.

[seajae]

hahahahaha, reds or police pissed at the CC not giving them what they want, typical of these two low life organizations

[sam sen]

thai gunman manages to hit target! (unless he was aiming at the building next door...?)

[Scamper]

It's really not difficult to connect the dots here. The Criminal Court is issuing rulings that some people don't like, and the implications for the justice system are dire. Clear intimidation tactics with bullets against those who are entrusted with their judgement in upholding the law puts the whole justice system at risk. If the courts find themselves having to balance their rulings with the power of a gun, then justice will be gone. Forever. It is up to the police to do two things. One - to safeguard these institutions as if they were protecting their own family. Two - accept the rulings. If you don't like a ruling, don't refile it continuously and pile up more and more charges. That too is a form of clear intimidation, and separates you from vigilantism by a very fine line indeed.

The Criminal Court is exercising balanced judgement. The DSI on the other hand has gone mad. By reinstating their charges and by adding ever more severe ones in their stead as a kind of temper tantrum for not getting their way suggests an unstable mind. And the " independence " of the DSI from Chalerm is as much an incredulous proposition as it ever was.

[noitom]

You put the Thai guy in an empty room and say hit any wall and the Thai guy says which wall.

[djjamie]

thai gunman manages to hit target! (unless he was aiming at the building next door...?)

If the building next door was the NACC headquarters then it would not surprise me.

Edited February 15, 2014 by djjamie

[webfact]

Criminal Court building attacked with M 79 grenade



BANGKOK: -- Phaholyothin police said that perpetrator used M 79 grenade launcher to attack the Criminal Court building last night.

Forensic police have inspected the scene of attack on the seventh floor of the building this morning and suspected grenade was used in the attack as two large glass panels were broken.

Primary inspection suspected it might be a M 79 grenade but this has to be tested again in the laboratory from traces of gunpowder on the glass panel.

Police looking through CCTV camera footages from the area but did not find any suspicious movement. They suspected that the grenade might be fired from the area opposite the Criminal Court building.

A court chief judge Mr Thongchai Senamontri said this morning the court was found for 132 years and never experienced such attack.

If the attack was meant to pressure the working of the judges, he said the Criminal Court would never yield to such threat because all cases that the court decided was based on witnesses and evidence and justice.

He asked those perpetrators to think of the safety of the people although the attack would be made at night.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/criminal-court-building-attacked-m-79-grenade/


-- Thai PBS 2014-02-15

[MGP]

Those of you that love to call the anti-government protesters "fascists", how would you call the ones that attack the Criminal Court that is investigating the corruption on the Rice Scam and the wrongdoing of the government?

[chiang mai]

Somebody in the window replacement business perhaps!

[maxme]

Those of you that love to call the anti-government protesters "fascists", how would you call the ones that attack the Criminal Court that is investigating the corruption on the Rice Scam and the wrongdoing of the government?

That UDD has loonies doesn't change the fact that the PDRC is filled with fascists and anarchists OR fascist anarchists.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[Blackmirage2013]

Those of you that love to call the anti-government protesters "fascists", how would you call the ones that attack the Criminal Court that is investigating the corruption on the Rice Scam and the wrongdoing of the government?

A bad shot?

[Costas2008]

MGP, on 15 Feb 2014 - 13:26, said:

Those of you that love to call the anti-government protesters "fascists", how would you call the ones that attack the Criminal Court that is investigating the corruption on the Rice Scam and the wrongdoing of the government?

Coward Red supporters?

[jonclark]

Those of you that love to call the anti-government protesters "fascists", how would you call the ones that attack the Criminal Court that is investigating the corruption on the Rice Scam and the wrongdoing of the government?

Indeed.

Had the PDRC attacked or been suspected of attacking the court pipkins and co would be screaming all sorts of insults, allegations and insinuations at the PRDC (and rightly so in this instance). yet today , they are conspicuous by their silence and absence.

Can we take their silence as acceptance of the motive behind these actions.

Thailand is fast sliding into a very dark place.

[siampolee]

When one views the ever increasing levels of violent attacks upon people and their personal property and also state property and people involved in passing judgement on legal matters here the more one is inclined to think that the backers of the Shinwtra clan are indeed becoming increasingly desperate and are showing the true colours of the character(s) they support.

Now it cannot escape our attention that all the targets are involved in the corruption investigations and also the judicial process which has judged against the P.T.P thus by virtue of those facts the Shinwatra clan.

All these actions are going to hasten the end of the Shinwatra clan and their cronies reign as the public are seeing ever more clearly what Thaksin and the P.T.P represent.

Do keep up the good work you P.T.P. Thaksin Shinwatra supporters. Political euthanasia is indeed the best possible exit for you and your kind.

Edited February 15, 2014 by siampolee

[jonclark]

When one views the ever increasing levels of violent attacks upon people and their personal property and also state property in cadwd and people oinvolved in passing judgement on legal matters here the more one is inclined to think that the backers of the Shinwtra clan are indeed becoming increasingly desperate and are showing the true colours of the character(s) they support.

Now it cannot escape our attention that all the targets are involved in the corruption investigations and also the judicial process which has judged against the P.T.P thus by virtue of those facts the Shinwatra clan.

All these actions are going to hasten the end of the Shinwatra clan and their cronies reign as the public are seeing ever more clearly what Thaksin and the P.T.P represent.

Do keep up the good work you P.T.P. Thaksin Shinwatra supporters. Political euthanasia is indeed the best possible exit for you and your kind.

To quote Star Wars;

"The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers." ―Princess Leia

Seems apt given the current intimidation of the Shin opponents, as they desperately attempt to cling to power.

[wave]

Those of you that love to call the anti-government protesters "fascists", how would you call the ones that attack the Criminal Court that is investigating the corruption on the Rice Scam and the wrongdoing of the government?

Indeed.

Had the PDRC attacked or been suspected of attacking the court pipkins and co would be screaming all sorts of insults, allegations and insinuations at the PRDC (and rightly so in this instance). yet today , they are conspicuous by their silence and absence.

Can we take their silence as acceptance of the motive behind these actions.

Thailand is fast sliding into a very dark place.

Who is to say that this attack was not carried out by the PDRC?

They certainly have access to the weaponry as we saw during the election at Laksi

But as yet there have been no claims of responsibility by anyone.

Until some group admits responsibility or someone is apprehended, there are benefits for all sides in these sort of disruptive actions.

To dismiss out of hand any involvement of the PDRC (or affiliates) is as myopic as claiming the Redshirts could not have done this either.

Lets not forget the ever present third hands, invisible hands, Cambodians, Royal Thai Police or Navy Seals to name but a few.

That said the most likely scenario is that we will never know....

[aimbc]

All of this lawlessness because the police failure to look into the numerous attacks against the protester. Even Chalerm was inciting violence by predicting violence against the protesters. Instead of declaring war against the cowardly acts like they did for the Red Shirt radio host.

The police is playing a dangerous game of inciting violence amongst innocent people. They are courting violence with radical factions that is bent against government no matter who is in charge. The so call groups are now out of control. Remove the head of police and replace him with some one more ethical and would make the badge shine once again. This is why reform is needed. Break up the police force and make them independent of each other. Get these scums, not mentioning the word police in here, out of the position of authority.

[Dogmatix]

The shooting was claimed by the police to be started by gunmen from the anti-government protest site.

In what civilised society would police be permitted to make a comment like that when they have no evidence to suggest who did it? Could have been either side or unrelated.

Edited February 15, 2014 by Dogmatix

[Dogmatix]

All of this lawlessness because the police failure to look into the numerous attacks against the protester. Even Chalerm was inciting violence by predicting violence against the protesters. Instead of declaring war against the cowardly acts like they did for the Red Shirt radio host.

The police is playing a dangerous game of inciting violence amongst innocent people. They are courting violence with radical factions that is bent against government no matter who is in charge. The so call groups are now out of control. Remove the head of police and replace him with some one more ethical and would make the badge shine once again. This is why reform is needed. Break up the police force and make them independent of each other. Get these scums, not mentioning the word police in here, out of the position of authority.

There is huge money at stake here. Not just for the police themselves but for corrupt politicians and civil servants who rely on the police to look the other way. Vested interests in maintaining a corrupt centrally controlled national police force are enormous.

[Dogmatix]

When this political violence is over, there will gangs of unemployed, unemployable young men roaming the streets with nothing to do but with easy access to guns, ammunition and explosives.

The police will regret the lawlessness they encouraged when they start getting killed by these guys but it will be too late.

[Skywalker69]

Those of you that love to call the anti-government protesters "fascists", how would you call the ones that attack the Criminal Court that is investigating the corruption on the Rice Scam and the wrongdoing of the government?

Probably heroes.:-(

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[jonclark]

The shooting was claimed by the police to be started by gunmen from the anti-government protest site.

In what civilised society would police be permitted to make a comment like that when they have no evidence to suggest who did it? Could have been either side or unrelated.

The Police can make that comment as it is fairly obvious (give his trip to HK to have his 'honours' pinned on him by Taksin) which side the current police chief (and therefore those below him - {can't upset the boss if you want that promotion can you?} ) feel their bread is buttered on.

[rickirs]

The shooting was claimed by the police to be started by gunmen from the anti-government protest site.

In what civilised society would police be permitted to make a comment like that when they have no evidence to suggest who did it? Could have been either side or unrelated.

Follow carefully what the police said. I see no claim as to WHOM was shooting. The protest SITE is an area of ground that is not specific to any specific person or political party. It is a public area. The police did not say "from the anti-government SIDE." The police statement was a factual statement without bias.

[biplanebluey]

Quote----- "the court was found for 132 years"-------------------- WHERE??????

[sirchai]

The shooting was claimed by the police to be started by gunmen from the anti-government protest site.

And Mr.T. was the shooter. Of course, dressed in black.-

[sirchai]

Quote----- "the court was found for 132 years"-------------------- WHERE??????

WHERE? In the Shinawat family.-

[gemini81]

Those of you that love to call the anti-government protesters "fascists", how would you call the ones that attack the Criminal Court that is investigating the corruption on the Rice Scam and the wrongdoing of the government?

Thaksin's assasins with no training. Managed the shin corp employee about to testify, but missed the fortune teller in burma and a host of others. only PTP have a background and reputation to hire piss poor marksmen, notably motorcycle taxi drivers. Do your homework.

[callaway]

Wave, do you really believe what you are writing? The court is making decisions that favour one party and you think they would attack a system that is recognizing their rights? Are you really that brainwashed that you believe that what you wrote???????? Oh my buddha !!!