Missing Redshirt Ends Up As Militant Suspect
By Khaosod English


The "Blackshirt" militant suspects reenacted their alleged crimes for police in downtown Bangkok, 12 Sept 2014.

BANGKOK — The Redshirt activist who went missing after he was arrested by soldiers last week has reappeared as a suspect accused of murdering soldiers and demonstrators during the mass Redshirt protests in 2010.

Kittisak Soomsri, 47, was detained by the military on 5 September and held at an undisclosed location, his family claimed. However, the military denied having him in their custody, according to a report by the US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Yesterday, Mr. Kittisak emerged at a police press conference where the new chief of the Royal Thai Police, Pol.Gen. Somyot Pumpanmuang, identified him and four other suspects as the armed militants who fought with security forces during the mass Redshirt protests in April 2010.

In addition to Mr. Kittisak, the other four suspects were identified as Preecha Yooyen, Ranarit Suricha, Chamnarn Phakeechai, and Punika Chusri. Two more suspects are still at large, Pol.Gen. Somyot said.

According to Pol.Gen. Somyot, the six men and one woman are the notorious "Blackshirt" militants who allegedly shot and threw grenades at soldiers and demonstrators during clashes between Redshirt protesters and security forces around Bangkok’s Ratchadamnoen Avenue on 10 April 2010.

Twenty civilians and five soldiers were killed in the clashes, including Col. Romklao Thuvatham, a high-ranking military officer who led the operation.

Police had the five suspects dress in black and wear red armbands at yesterday’s press conference to illustrate their alleged identity as the "Blackshirt" militants. According to Pol.Gen. Somyot, the group was armed with an array of weapons during the clashes, including grenade launchers, hand grenades, and automatic rifles.

Pol.Gen. Somyot refused to explain the circumstances behind their recent arrest.

"I will not disclose how and where they were arrested," the police chief told reporters. "I cannot tell our investigation methods to other bandits out there.”

Mr. Kittisak, the suspect who was considered missing until yesterday, confessed at the press conference to receiving the weapons and using them in the direction of soldiers. However, Thai police have a history of parading suspects in front of the media and extracting confessions from them that are later retracted.

In a recent case, Wiwat Yordprasit, 24, aka the Popcorn Gunman, "confessed" in a press conference to shooting at pro-government demonstrators on 1 February, 2014. Later, Mr. Wiwat said through his lawyer that he was coerced and tortured by police into making the public confession.

According to Pol.Gen. Somyot, police also uncovered a connection between the "Blackshirt" suspects and Kritsuda Kunasen, the 26-year-old Redshirt activist who was detained without charges by the military for nearly three weeks this spring, exceeding the seven day limit for arbitrary detention under martial law.

After fleeing to Europe upon her release, Ms. Kritsuda said she was beaten by soldiers while in military custody. Thai authorities denied the allegations and accused Mr. Kritsuda of purchasing weapons and distributing them to underground Redshirt militants who allegedly staged attacks on anti-government protesters earlier this year.

"Police have found clear evidence that she transferred money to [the suspects], but we cannot disclose the exact figure. I can only say that it's a lot of money," Pol.Gen. Somyot said. "They work as a network. They have a leader, they have an ideology and hatred, and they get paid for it."

Nicha Thuvatham, widow of the late Col. Romklao who was killed in the 2010 clash, thanked Pol.Gen. Somyot and the police for yesterday arresting the Blackshirt militants.

"Their work regained my trust in justice system, which is an important part of the reconciliation process," Ms. Nicha said. "It also shows to society that the Men in Black who harmed the soldiers and the civilians really did exist."

She said she hoped police would expand the investigation and unmask the mastermind behind the Blackshirt movement.

"My husband will never come back. All I have left in this world is the duty ... to find justice for society, for the sake of innocent lives of civilians and security forces," Ms. Nicha said. "Truth never dies. I can wait for justice, no matter how long it takes."

Over 90 people died in clashes between protesters in security forces in 2010, the majority of whom were civilians.

Although several court inquests in recent years have identified military forces as responsible for many of the deaths caused by the violence, no military officers or government officials involved in the crackdown have been held responsible.

Last month, a criminal court threw out murder charges against former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban for authorizing the military crackdown. Human Rights Watch called the move "an affront to basic justice and international law."

Meanwhile, scores of Redshirt demonstrators were held in jail on charges related to the unrest, 26 of whom were convicted in the first year after the crackdown. At least two Redshirt activists were jailed for 10 months before facing trials and never compensated for their time in prison despite being eventually acquitted.

Source: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1410509537


-- Khaosod English 2014-09-12

They should be hanged for treason.

“Men in Black” suspects reenact shooting at Democracy Monument



BANGKOK: -- Four "Men in Black" suspects were Friday morning escorted under heavy security guards to reenact their battling with soldiers during the bloody riot in April 2010.

More than 400 commando police with machine guns were deployed around the Democracy Monument and surrounding the four suspects as the metropolitan police told them to reenact their fighting with soldiers and shooting at civilians on April 10.

The bloody clash between Men in Black terrorists and soldiers also resulted in the death of the deputy chief of staff of the Army Second Infantry Division of the Royal Guards Col Romklao Thuvatham.

Col Romklao was posthumously promoted as a general after a M79 grenade landed near the commanding tent where he was directing troops to control the riot.

Police have arrested five members but four were brought to reenact their crimes. Another female suspect Mrs Punika Chusri or Orn 1 was detained at the Crime Suppression Division.

The four suspects are Kittisak Sumsri, alias Ouan, Preecha Yooyen, alias Kaitia, Ronarit Suricha, and Chamnarn Pakeechai.

They were clad in black same as the day when they battled soldiers on April 10, 2010.

The four led police to reenact shootings at soldiers with assault rifles and M 79 grenade launchers from two locations, — at a telephone exchange on Tanao road near Khok Wua intersection on Ratchadamnern road, and in front of Mahannop temple on Tanao road.

After finishing the reenactment, all were escorted back to the CSD headquarters for detention.

CSD police will bring them to the Criminal Court tomorrow for extended detention permission.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/men-black-suspects-reenact-shooting-democracy-monument/


-- Thai PBS 2014-09-12

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They should be hanged for treason.

And also those who took over the airport in 2008 along with Suthep and the monk. But lets wait and have a trial first.

Edited September 12, 201411 yr by Mango Bob

unnecessary flame post removed

Surprise surprise, Khaosod making things up again to push an agenda:

"After fleeing to Europe upon her release, Ms. Kritsuda said she was beaten by soldiers while in military custody"

Unless she tarted up her story since the first time, she didn't claim to have been beaten up by soldiers.

“Men in Black” suspects reenact shooting at Democracy Monument

BANGKOK: -- Four "Men in Black" suspects were Friday morning escorted under heavy security guards to reenact their battling with soldiers during the bloody riot in April 2010.

More than 400 commando police with machine guns were deployed around the Democracy Monument and surrounding the four suspects as the metropolitan police told them to reenact their fighting with soldiers and shooting at civilians on April 10.

The bloody clash between Men in Black terrorists and soldiers also resulted in the death of the deputy chief of staff of the Army Second Infantry Division of the Royal Guards Col Romklao Thuvatham.

Col Romklao was posthumously promoted as a general after a M79 grenade landed near the commanding tent where he was directing troops to control the riot.

Police have arrested five members but four were brought to reenact their crimes. Another female suspect Mrs Punika Chusri or Orn 1 was detained at the Crime Suppression Division.

The four suspects are Kittisak Sumsri, alias Ouan, Preecha Yooyen, alias Kaitia, Ronarit Suricha, and Chamnarn Pakeechai.

They were clad in black same as the day when they battled soldiers on April 10, 2010.

The four led police to reenact shootings at soldiers with assault rifles and M 79 grenade launchers from two locations, — at a telephone exchange on Tanao road near Khok Wua intersection on Ratchadamnern road, and in front of Mahannop temple on Tanao road.

After finishing the reenactment, all were escorted back to the CSD headquarters for detention.

CSD police will bring them to the Criminal Court tomorrow for extended detention permission.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/men-black-suspects-reenact-shooting-democracy-monument/

-- Thai PBS 2014-09-12

They need 400 blokes with machine guns to do a 10 minute re-enactment and someone actually things this is a good investigative tool and a good way to spend public money????????

May I suggest that if you need 400 people for protection that its probably better to keep them in the police station. Just think about it. 400 blokes on special duty for a day - 1000s, all the mess 100s of 1000s, all the inconvenince - millions

the evidence - worthless.

They need 400 blokes with machine guns to do a 10 minute re-enactment and someone actually things this is a good investigative tool and a good way to spend public money????????

May I suggest that if you need 400 people for protection that its probably better to keep them in the police station. Just think about it. 400 blokes on special duty for a day - 1000s, all the mess 100s of 1000s, all the inconvenince - millions

the evidence - worthless.

When they needed guards, the thin possibility of being allowed to legally shoot one or all of these vermin while trying to escape was so attractive that every man and his police dog volunteered. The boss didn't have the heart to knock any of them back, as things have been so quiet lately.

And also those who took over the airport in 2008 along with Suthep and the monk. But lets wait and have a trial first.

Only four posts until a red shirt defends murders with the standard "But but Suthep..." defence

They should be hanged for treason.

And also those who took over the airport in 2008 along with Suthep and the monk. But lets wait and have a trial first.

Let's start chronologically in 2007 with the initiators of street violence, the Red Shirts, eg. Natthawut

I'd love to see the firing positions and what type of weapons they stated they were using, and then get the forensic people up there with their lasers and pinpoint exactly were the fatalities occured and check that the line of sight matched with their statements, that way, the evidence against them is even more damning, and has more chance of a full on conviction.

Last thing that's needed is to have them walk free if just like the pair who recently got off with the arson charges..

Have the experts do their thing, and make this case so water tight, it would make a ducks arse seem slack!!

And also those who took over the airport in 2008 along with Suthep and the monk. But lets wait and have a trial first.

Only four posts until a red shirt defends murders with the standard "But but Suthep..." defence

I wouldn't go as far as saying they were defending murders, more along the lines of "people in glass houses"

BOTH sides have a rotten element to them, and it's about time EVERYONE faced up to that fact.

Out of the blue, MIB appear....

Those who haven't seen them recognize them and they confessed it all already...

Convenient timing

Oh my, did I read 'missing redshirt', caught as a blackshirt? Where are you 'red' apologists and denialists? 'Wir haben es nich gewusst!', like in Nuremberg? How 'embarassing' for the 'third hand' this must be... But I always thought 'a certain someone' needed to have more hands than just two to be able to steal so much money from 'his' country

Out of the blue, MIB appear....

Those who haven't seen them recognize them and they confessed it all already...

Convenient timing

It's because the timing was (very) 'inconvenient' for the Shins and their UDD/PTP that it's coming only now, after all their lies and denials...

From the op - "I will not disclose how and where they were arrested," the police chief told reporters. "I cannot tell our investigation methods to other bandits out there."

But I will tell the other bandits out there how you caught them, Chief. Their redshirt mates squealed like pigs, dobbed them in to save their own &lt;deleted&gt;, that's how the scumbags were found and arrested.

Like a large snowball rolling down a mountainside, expect many more arrests of murdering terrorists. The country is a better place with these germs behind bars.

They need 400 blokes with machine guns to do a 10 minute re-enactment and someone actually things this is a good investigative tool and a good way to spend public money????????

May I suggest that if you need 400 people for protection that its probably better to keep them in the police station. Just think about it. 400 blokes on special duty for a day - 1000s, all the mess 100s of 1000s, all the inconvenince - millions

the evidence - worthless.

When they needed guards, the thin possibility of being allowed to legally shoot one or all of these vermin while trying to escape was so attractive that every man and his police dog volunteered. The boss didn't have the heart to knock any of them back, as things have been so quiet lately.

and here I was assuming those 400 blokes were needed to ensure the public wouldn't resort to some swift justice to save the State some money.

Either that or to make sure no one would come close enough to ask for autographs

Edited September 12, 201411 yr by rubl

Oh dear Mike, I hope you feel as passionate about bringing to justice those who have maimed and killed thousands down in the Southern part of the country?

They need 400 blokes with machine guns to do a 10 minute re-enactment and someone actually things this is a good investigative tool and a good way to spend public money????????

May I suggest that if you need 400 people for protection that its probably better to keep them in the police station. Just think about it. 400 blokes on special duty for a day - 1000s, all the mess 100s of 1000s, all the inconvenince - millions

the evidence - worthless.

When they needed guards, the thin possibility of being allowed to legally shoot one or all of these vermin while trying to escape was so attractive that every man and his police dog volunteered. The boss didn't have the heart to knock any of them back, as things have been so quiet lately.

and here I was assuming those 400 blokes were needed to ensure the public wouldn't resort to some swift justice to save the State some money.

Either that or to make sure no one would come close enough to ask for autographs

Two who are on so far as posters on this thread would probably have LOVED to be there & get autographs. I haven't read to the end yet, but that only leaves about 4 or 5 I can think of who we haven't had on from the "third hand side" yet. BTW Thai at Heart, the Thai justice system thinks the world of these re-enactments and so do most of the people who genuinely are "Thai at Heart". Time to change names???? BTW the "evidence component may be quite valuable if the forensic ballistics match what they said they did............... and try to retract their confessions later. How can these pathetic TVF members still be making excuses in support of these scum. I bet the defendents were involved this year too in blood & mayhem. Horrible people. Lower than a mud crawler's navel.

"They were clad in black same as the day when they battled soldiers on April 10, 2010."

And wearing their red arm bands like before...

Yes Deerhunter, very well said, so as long as you agree that making sure the evidence is water tight, and a conviction can be guaranteed, then the re-enactments indeed serve a purpose, put the jigsaw together with the forensics and ballistics and it should all fit nicely.. irrespective of what colour their shirt is that they wear.

And if the ballistics and evidence don't match, then go and find the ones who were responsible.

I'm interested in why they said they fired on the reds too, the most plausable reason is to make the gunmen in the red camp think it was the Army who was firing at them, so that they started firin on the Army , and perhaps the red protesters were seen as collateral damage?

"Their work regained my trust in justice system, which is an important part of the reconciliation process," Ms. Nicha said. "It also shows to society that the Men in Black who harmed the soldiers and the civilians really did exist."

Wow. That statement could not have been fed to her and rehearsed. No way.

And coup eighteen. George W. Bush summed it up -- "Mission accomplished".

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They should be hanged for treason.

And also those who took over the airport in 2008 along with Suthep and the monk. But lets wait and have a trial first.

Mango, we all know who you are and the fruits you're selling are getting sour !

Yes Deerhunter, very well said, so as long as you agree that making sure the evidence is water tight, and a conviction can be guaranteed, then the re-enactments indeed serve a purpose, put the jigsaw together with the forensics and ballistics and it should all fit nicely.. irrespective of what colour their shirt is that they wear.

And if the ballistics and evidence don't match, then go and find the ones who were responsible.

I'm interested in why they said they fired on the reds too, the most plausable reason is to make the gunmen in the red camp think it was the Army who was firing at them, so that they started firin on the Army , and perhaps the red protesters were seen as collateral damage?

Why did the MiB fire on the reds? Which headline works best for the Thaksin camp "5 Soldiers Killed Trying to Stop Rioting Protesters" or "20 Unarmed Protesters Killed by Army"?

If you remember the photos from the night, most soldiers were wearing crash helmets with face shields and carrying batons and plastic shields. Which would have made it hard to kill a suitable number without some better armed (unrequested) assistance. The phrase you are looking for is not 'collateral damage', it's 'sacrificial pawns'.

Edited September 12, 201411 yr by halloween

Out of the blue, MIB appear....

Those who haven't seen them recognize them and they confessed it all already...

Convenient timing

It's because the timing was (very) 'inconvenient' for the Shins and their UDD/PTP that it's coming only now, after all their lies and denials...

Wow -- you are very easily duped. Want to buy the London Bridge (now in America)? I can get you a better price than Suthep...promise.

Missing Redshirt Ends Up As Militant Suspect

By Khaosod English

The "Blackshirt" militant suspects reenacted their alleged crimes for police in downtown Bangkok, 12 Sept 2014.

BANGKOK — The Redshirt activist who went missing after he was arrested by soldiers last week has reappeared as a suspect accused of murdering soldiers and demonstrators during the mass Redshirt protests in 2010.

Kittisak Soomsri, 47, was detained by the military on 5 September and held at an undisclosed location, his family claimed. However, the military denied having him in their custody, according to a report by the US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Yesterday, Mr. Kittisak emerged at a police press conference where the new chief of the Royal Thai Police, Pol.Gen. Somyot Pumpanmuang, identified him and four other suspects as the armed militants who fought with security forces during the mass Redshirt protests in April 2010.

In addition to Mr. Kittisak, the other four suspects were identified as Preecha Yooyen, Ranarit Suricha, Chamnarn Phakeechai, and Punika Chusri. Two more suspects are still at large, Pol.Gen. Somyot said.

According to Pol.Gen. Somyot, the six men and one woman are the notorious "Blackshirt" militants who allegedly shot and threw grenades at soldiers and demonstrators during clashes between Redshirt protesters and security forces around Bangkok’s Ratchadamnoen Avenue on 10 April 2010.

Twenty civilians and five soldiers were killed in the clashes, including Col. Romklao Thuvatham, a high-ranking military officer who led the operation.

Police had the five suspects dress in black and wear red armbands at yesterday’s press conference to illustrate their alleged identity as the "Blackshirt" militants. According to Pol.Gen. Somyot, the group was armed with an array of weapons during the clashes, including grenade launchers, hand grenades, and automatic rifles.

Pol.Gen. Somyot refused to explain the circumstances behind their recent arrest.

"I will not disclose how and where they were arrested," the police chief told reporters. "I cannot tell our investigation methods to other bandits out there.”

Mr. Kittisak, the suspect who was considered missing until yesterday, confessed at the press conference to receiving the weapons and using them in the direction of soldiers. However, Thai police have a history of parading suspects in front of the media and extracting confessions from them that are later retracted.

In a recent case, Wiwat Yordprasit, 24, aka the Popcorn Gunman, "confessed" in a press conference to shooting at pro-government demonstrators on 1 February, 2014. Later, Mr. Wiwat said through his lawyer that he was coerced and tortured by police into making the public confession.

According to Pol.Gen. Somyot, police also uncovered a connection between the "Blackshirt" suspects and Kritsuda Kunasen, the 26-year-old Redshirt activist who was detained without charges by the military for nearly three weeks this spring, exceeding the seven day limit for arbitrary detention under martial law.

After fleeing to Europe upon her release, Ms. Kritsuda said she was beaten by soldiers while in military custody. Thai authorities denied the allegations and accused Mr. Kritsuda of purchasing weapons and distributing them to underground Redshirt militants who allegedly staged attacks on anti-government protesters earlier this year.

"Police have found clear evidence that she transferred money to [the suspects], but we cannot disclose the exact figure. I can only say that it's a lot of money," Pol.Gen. Somyot said. "They work as a network. They have a leader, they have an ideology and hatred, and they get paid for it."

Nicha Thuvatham, widow of the late Col. Romklao who was killed in the 2010 clash, thanked Pol.Gen. Somyot and the police for yesterday arresting the Blackshirt militants.

"Their work regained my trust in justice system, which is an important part of the reconciliation process," Ms. Nicha said. "It also shows to society that the Men in Black who harmed the soldiers and the civilians really did exist."

She said she hoped police would expand the investigation and unmask the mastermind behind the Blackshirt movement.

"My husband will never come back. All I have left in this world is the duty ... to find justice for society, for the sake of innocent lives of civilians and security forces," Ms. Nicha said. "Truth never dies. I can wait for justice, no matter how long it takes."

Over 90 people died in clashes between protesters in security forces in 2010, the majority of whom were civilians.

Although several court inquests in recent years have identified military forces as responsible for many of the deaths caused by the violence, no military officers or government officials involved in the crackdown have been held responsible.

Last month, a criminal court threw out murder charges against former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban for authorizing the military crackdown. Human Rights Watch called the move "an affront to basic justice and international law."

Meanwhile, scores of Redshirt demonstrators were held in jail on charges related to the unrest, 26 of whom were convicted in the first year after the crackdown. At least two Redshirt activists were jailed for 10 months before facing trials and never compensated for their time in prison despite being eventually acquitted.

Source: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1410509537

-- Khaosod English 2014-09-12

Murders were commited, people died and we will never know if these guys are guilty of it or not. They are presumed guilty so no one will believe it if they say otherwise. If they get convicted of the crimes, who with a clear mind can accept the circumstances surrounding their arrests.

A guy gets detained by the military and taken off to an undisclosed location to spend quality time with the military for a few days. Next time we see the guy, the police have him dressed up in black with a red armband. The new chief of the Royal Thai Police points his finger and identifies him and four other suspects as the armed militants who fought with the security forces.

Then we read further and see .... "I will not disclose how and where they were arrested," the police chief told reporters. "I cannot tell our investigation methods to other bandits out there.” And then we read ..... However, Thai police have a history of parading suspects in front of the media and extracting confessions from them that are later retracted.

How on earth can anyone have faith in any of this. We all want murderers caught, convicted and punished. I hope these are the guys that did it, because they have already been gift wrapped and presented to the world as guilty.

If they aren't, God help them, they don't stand a chance.

Murders were commited, people died and we will never know if these guys are guilty of it or not. They are presumed guilty so no one will believe it if they say otherwise. If they get convicted of the crimes, who with a clear mind can accept the circumstances surrounding their arrests.

A guy gets detained by the military and taken off to an undisclosed location to spend quality time with the military for a few days. Next time we see the guy, the police have him dressed up in black with a red armband. The new chief of the Royal Thai Police points his finger and identifies him and four other suspects as the armed militants who fought with the security forces.

Then we read further and see .... "I will not disclose how and where they were arrested," the police chief told reporters. "I cannot tell our investigation methods to other bandits out there.” And then we read ..... However, Thai police have a history of parading suspects in front of the media and extracting confessions from them that are later retracted.

How on earth can anyone have faith in any of this. We all want murderers caught, convicted and punished. I hope these are the guys that did it, because they have already been gift wrapped and presented to the world as guilty.

If they aren't, God help them, they don't stand a chance.

Interesting views, really.

BTW where did it say the news chief of the RTP identified one of the four suspects ?

Yes Deerhunter, very well said, so as long as you agree that making sure the evidence is water tight, and a conviction can be guaranteed, then the re-enactments indeed serve a purpose, put the jigsaw together with the forensics and ballistics and it should all fit nicely.. irrespective of what colour their shirt is that they wear.

And if the ballistics and evidence don't match, then go and find the ones who were responsible.

I'm interested in why they said they fired on the reds too, the most plausable reason is to make the gunmen in the red camp think it was the Army who was firing at them, so that they started firin on the Army , and perhaps the red protesters were seen as collateral damage?

I think the plan was to start a big massacre by firing at both sides and making both sides think their Opponent started the battle.

I can think of only one who would have had Advantage.

Who financed these guys?

I'd love to see the firing positions and what type of weapons they stated they were using, and then get the forensic people up there with their lasers and pinpoint exactly were the fatalities occured and check that the line of sight matched with their statements, that way, the evidence against them is even more damning, and has more chance of a full on conviction.

Last thing that's needed is to have them walk free if just like the pair who recently got off with the arson charges..

Have the experts do their thing, and make this case so water tight, it would make a ducks arse seem slack!!

There are some photos on this web page to possibly help with forensics.

http://www.2bangkok.com/catching-the-red-shirt-gunmen.html