TNT Bomb Discovered Near Thaksin's Residence

[Jai Dee]

DPM Chitchai refuses to comment on car bomb plot

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Chitchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) has refused to comment on the car bomb plot against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, while believing that people are able to consider this case by themselves.

Pol. Gen. Chitchai said the suspects have given their statements during the interrogation, adding that these statements would be beneficial to the case. However, he has refused to reveal other details as he would have to ask for more information from the probing officials.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister has also received a letter from Mr. Chucheap Chivasutree (ชูชีพ ชีวสุทรี), the President of the Constitution Protector Association, at the Government House. The letter asks the officials to speed up the prosecution against Mr. Sondhi Limthongkul (สนธิ ลิ้มทองกุล), one of the key members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), as well as other PAD members.

They have been accused of conducting lese majesty and damaging the framework of democracy through organizing rallies.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 08 September 2006

[cclub75]

Mr. Sirichai: none of the four military members related to the car bomb were ordered to take a break from their jobs

Defense Ministry's Permanent Secretary Sirichai Tanyasiri (สิริชัย ธัญญสิริ) said he did not order the military members, who were involved in the car bomb plot against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to take a break from their posts.

That's a serious relief. They are going to keep their salary. And they might have enought free time to organize another plot against Thaksin (that will succeed this time...)

I believe people are really getting tired about this soap opera.

[sriracha john]

And it is still very hard to find anyone who believes the plot, at least where I live, even with the arrests of soldiers and the "confession" of some NCO. This disconnect is just growing wider now people are charged but disbelief continues. What happens if disbelief continues if people are found guilty and jailed? Do the army believe the plot is real? They seem to allow the arrest of officers to happen easily even as the plot is ridiculed in public by so many. There are so many questions and no answers, and that is without going into the initial investigation and ever changing physical evidence.

Channel News Asia just concluded a television news report whereby the announcer reported on the confession and other details the police have provided as if everything was verified and fact-based. Then he conducted a on-air telephone interview with Dr. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political science professor at Chula Uni, ... who set him straight and pointed out that there were numerous holes in all this and that most thought it was nothing more than an elaborate hoax...

[John K]

I think we have slipped from 2.3 to about 2.5 now on the possible scenarios.

Perhaps we can have a contest and write the next chapter in this story for them. Who ever gets the closest or what ever one they choose I will buy them a beer.

[Khun Jean]

I think it is time for a 'coup' and get it over with.

Back to squear one and do it over again.

This time ask some countries in the western world to send a copy of their constitutions.

Much better than writing your own stuff. Oh yeah, make the word accountable in big fat letters.

And the word enforcement has to be highlighted.

Edited September 8, 2006 by Khun Jean

[sriracha john]

"The jigsaw puzzle is almost completed."

Police Lt. Gen. Montree Jamroom

Lawyer takes issue with 'confession'

A respected lawyer yesterday highlighted what he said were several inconsistencies in what police say is a confession by military personnel linked to the alleged car-bomb plot to kill the prime minister.

Somchai Horm-laor, head of the human rights' section of the Law Society of Thailand, also questioned the charges of attempted murder that have been filed against all five military personnel. He said the "crime" was still in the preparatory stages - a crucial precondition to determine whether the suspects' acts were eligible for criminal prosecution.

"To apply the 'attempted' degree to the offence of murder in the charges against the suspects, at least a detonation device needed to have already been activated, regardless of whether the triggering worked," he said.

Commenting on the material that was publicly released on Thursday by police, who described it as a confession by Sgt-Major Chakhrit Janthara, Somchai said the Daewoo sedan that was intercepted by police and found loaded with explosives on August 24 had never travelled to nor was parked near the Air Force terminal at Don Muang airport on August 9, as caretaker premier Thaksin Shinawatra suggested earlier in a TV interview.

In the "confession statement", Chakhrit said he was waiting in a pickup truck for the Daewoo to take his place, but an Air Force military policeman asked him to leave, so the plan was postponed.

Somchai also questioned police statements that Chakhrit fled shortly before police searched his home in Suphan Buri. Somchai said police traditionally set a stakeout at a suspect's house to collect information and learn his schedule. He asked how police could raid an empty house.

The lawyer also expressed suspicion over why a foot soldier in a large-scale assassination attempt would have information about the entire plan, including the names of the people involved. "I think police are trying to extend the case to involve all parties who oppose PM Thaksin so they can use mutiny charges," he said.

Pol Maj-General Jate Mongkholhatthee, a senior investigator in charge of the case, reacted angrily yesterday when asked by reporters to comment on Chakhrit's confession, calling the people who released information from the 10-page document detailing Chakhrit's words "undisciplined".

Jate then chaired a meeting of police investigators, who were later instructed to compile more evidence against Maj-General Phairoj Theerapharb. Phairoj was not included in Chakhrit's claims and so was granted a temporary release on bail by the Bangkok military court on Thursday.

A team of police seized a computer belonging to Colonel Suraphol Supradit, one of the five military suspects, from his office at the Internal Security Operations Command to retrieve some information on it that they said they believed could reveal more evidence.

Police said they had arranged a re-enactment for today. Four suspects are expected to demonstrate their actions in regard to the alleged car-bomb plot.

A police source said some of Thaksin's personal security guards had confirmed that Chakhrit was near Bang Phlat intersection on August 24. That is where the Daewoo was intercepted by police, contrary to Chakhrit's statement earlier that he was not at the scene on that day.

A military source said Colonel Supaphol Supradit, another of the five suspects, had a personal business operating commuter van services in Pathum Thani. The source said he had close ties to a national-level politician based in the Northeast who was close to the country's leader and was instrumental in organising several pro-government demonstrations.

Royal Thai Air Force commander ACM Chalit Phukphasuk said security at the Air Force terminal would be normal today when Thaksin departed for Finland to attend the Asia-Europe meeting.

Thaksin met yesterday with the commander of the Cavalry Division, Maj-General Sanit Phrommas, the caretaker prime minister's classmate from Class 10 from the Armed Forces Academy Preparatory School. The two men held a secret 30-minute meeting after leaving Government House.

Thaksin later went to play golf at a driving range in the Wang Thong Lang area, where he was briefed on the progress in solving the car-bomb case by Central Investigation Bureau chief Pol Lt-General Montree Jamroon, who is leading the investigation.

- The Nation

[hammered]

"The jigsaw puzzle is almost completed."

Police Lt. Gen. Montree Jamroom

Lawyer takes issue with 'confession'

A respected lawyer yesterday highlighted what he said were several inconsistencies in what police say is a confession by military personnel linked to the alleged car-bomb plot to kill the prime minister.

Somchai Horm-laor, head of the human rights' section of the Law Society of Thailand, also questioned the charges of attempted murder that have been filed against all five military personnel. He said the "crime" was still in the preparatory stages - a crucial precondition to determine whether the suspects' acts were eligible for criminal prosecution.

"To apply the 'attempted' degree to the offence of murder in the charges against the suspects, at least a detonation device needed to have already been activated, regardless of whether the triggering worked," he said.

Commenting on the material that was publicly released on Thursday by police, who described it as a confession by Sgt-Major Chakhrit Janthara, Somchai said the Daewoo sedan that was intercepted by police and found loaded with explosives on August 24 had never travelled to nor was parked near the Air Force terminal at Don Muang airport on August 9, as caretaker premier Thaksin Shinawatra suggested earlier in a TV interview.

In the "confession statement", Chakhrit said he was waiting in a pickup truck for the Daewoo to take his place, but an Air Force military policeman asked him to leave, so the plan was postponed.

Somchai also questioned police statements that Chakhrit fled shortly before police searched his home in Suphan Buri. Somchai said police traditionally set a stakeout at a suspect's house to collect information and learn his schedule. He asked how police could raid an empty house.

The lawyer also expressed suspicion over why a foot soldier in a large-scale assassination attempt would have information about the entire plan, including the names of the people involved. "I think police are trying to extend the case to involve all parties who oppose PM Thaksin so they can use mutiny charges," he said.

Pol Maj-General Jate Mongkholhatthee, a senior investigator in charge of the case, reacted angrily yesterday when asked by reporters to comment on Chakhrit's confession, calling the people who released information from the 10-page document detailing Chakhrit's words "undisciplined".

Jate then chaired a meeting of police investigators, who were later instructed to compile more evidence against Maj-General Phairoj Theerapharb. Phairoj was not included in Chakhrit's claims and so was granted a temporary release on bail by the Bangkok military court on Thursday.

A team of police seized a computer belonging to Colonel Suraphol Supradit, one of the five military suspects, from his office at the Internal Security Operations Command to retrieve some information on it that they said they believed could reveal more evidence.

Police said they had arranged a re-enactment for today. Four suspects are expected to demonstrate their actions in regard to the alleged car-bomb plot.

A police source said some of Thaksin's personal security guards had confirmed that Chakhrit was near Bang Phlat intersection on August 24. That is where the Daewoo was intercepted by police, contrary to Chakhrit's statement earlier that he was not at the scene on that day.

A military source said Colonel Supaphol Supradit, another of the five suspects, had a personal business operating commuter van services in Pathum Thani. The source said he had close ties to a national-level politician based in the Northeast who was close to the country's leader and was instrumental in organising several pro-government demonstrations.

Royal Thai Air Force commander ACM Chalit Phukphasuk said security at the Air Force terminal would be normal today when Thaksin departed for Finland to attend the Asia-Europe meeting.

Thaksin met yesterday with the commander of the Cavalry Division, Maj-General Sanit Phrommas, the caretaker prime minister's classmate from Class 10 from the Armed Forces Academy Preparatory School. The two men held a secret 30-minute meeting after leaving Government House.

Thaksin later went to play golf at a driving range in the Wang Thong Lang area, where he was briefed on the progress in solving the car-bomb case by Central Investigation Bureau chief Pol Lt-General Montree Jamroon, who is leading the investigation.

- The Nation

It is really strange that all of the suspects in the alleged bomb plot thingy all seem to be card carrying members of TRT and serious supporters of Mr. T.

[cclub75]

I think we have slipped from 2.3 to about 2.5 now on the possible scenarios.

Perhaps we can have a contest and write the next chapter in this story for them. Who ever gets the closest or what ever one they choose I will buy them a beer.

That's a nice idea John.

It's true that we have a pure soap opera. All the ingredients are there. But who have the recipe ? It should be the script writer.

Ok I risk a bet :

-we won't have any big or extraordinary developpements regarding the "plot". The story is old, dry already. They have a "confession". Next step : they will come after the "mastermind" (a general). Then, you can be sure that 10 years -at least- of investigation, delays and void thai way will follow.

We aren't making any progress. I repeat my view : no decisive action, from one side or the other. Only subtles moves. For instance the last one :

-all the new EC members are "TRT friendly".

How could it be different ? Because all the senators are TRT croonies.

-the military reshuffle is done (at least from the gvt point of view)

[John K]

I think we have slipped from 2.3 to about 2.5 now on the possible scenarios.

Perhaps we can have a contest and write the next chapter in this story for them. Who ever gets the closest or what ever one they choose I will buy them a beer.

That's a nice idea John.

It's true that we have a pure soap opera. All the ingredients are there. But who have the recipe ? It should be the script writer.

Ok I risk a bet :

-we won't have any big or extraordinary developpements regarding the "plot". The story is old, dry already. They have a "confession". Next step : they will come after the "mastermind" (a general). Then, you can be sure that 10 years -at least- of investigation, delays and void thai way will follow.

We aren't making any progress. I repeat my view : no decisive action, from one side or the other. Only subtles moves. For instance the last one :

-all the new EC members are "TRT friendly".

How could it be different ? Because all the senators are TRT croonies.

-the military reshuffle is done (at least from the gvt point of view)

Well the script does not need to be complex or though out in any great detail. After all look at what was presented already. We could put some writers in a small oxygen deprived room with a beer keg and see what come of it. I suspect the quality would be about the same.

The key components of the story would be; facts that are easily disprove, confusion between who the bad guy is and who the good guys are, bombs that are not bombs yet, identifying people who have nothing to do with it at all as guilty, drugging suspect and getting them to confess, photo stand-ins that don’t look like exactly like the suspect, a wall with pictures of people Thaksin does not like and some darts to identify the next suspect, and police pretending to be lawyers.

One thing here I do find a bit insulting to the Thais is they actually expected the Thais to believe this story. I think in all honesty most anyone of voting age with an IQ of 85 or higher could see this for what it is. 85 is near the low end of the IQ bell curve, not to much lower than that and you would start to have a drooling problem. I guess this is just another hidden Thaksin insult.

[sriracha john]

Police raid homes of alleged bomb plotters

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday said the alleged car-bomb plot to assassinate him was part of an ongoing attempt to oust him from politics that stretched as far back as the mass rallies at the beginning of the year, according to a news report.

The Thai News Agency quoted Thaksin during his flight to Tajikistan as saying "from the mass protests that failed to oust me and the failed attempt to gather support to oust me through a coup, as well as other illegal means, to this last resort - a zero-sum game - that aimed to kill me, the culprits must be locked up in jail".

His statement was the strongest yet linking the alleged plot to the political deadlock between the premier and the anti-government camp demanding that he quit politics once and for all.

Separately, police searched seven Bangkok residences belonging to military personnel allegedly linked to the reported plot to kill Thaksin. Nothing incriminating was found but the search illustrated the level of anxiety among investigators to come up with evidence to support the prime minister's claim. what?!?! no more plastic tape and blue rope?!?!!?

Police raided homes belonging to Maj-General Phairoj Theerapharb, Colonel Surapol Supradit and Sgt-Major Chakhrit Janthara and an accomplice identified as Maj-General Sor.

Pol Maj-General Jate Mongkholhatthee, a senior investigator in charge of the case, said the raids were part of a thorough investigation and not conducted entirely as a result of a confession allegedly made by Chakhrit.

According to police, Chakhrit, who surrendered to police on Wednesday, confessed that a four-star general was the plot's mastermind. He also implicated three other officers - a Maj-General Sor, a Maj-General Tor and a Colonel Bor - who are assigned to Internal Security Operations Command, as he is.

Chakhrit was taken yesterday afternoon to conduct a re-enactment at the Air Force Airport at Don Muang. Chakhrit claimed he had driven his pickup truck there on August 9 and 10 - following Surapol's pickup - to mark the spot for Lieutenant Thawatchai Klinchana to park the bomb-laden Daewoo sedan on a route used by the premier's motorcade.

Phairoj was the second officer to turn himself in to police, but was not included in Chakhrit's implication claims. He was released on bail by the Bangkok military court on Thursday, while Surapol - the third to surrender - was still detained.

All three officers were charged with six criminal offences, as were Thawatchai and Lt-Colonel Manas Sukprasert, who has been in military custody since his arrest on Tuesday.

On August 24, police defused the explosives in a bomb-laden vehicle parked on the PM's route to his office and arrested driver Thawatchai.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Power play moving towards an 'extraordinary' finale

Thaksin Shinawatra flew off yesterday to participate in the Asia-Europe meeting in Finland, giving him a break from the intense power plays and his growing vulnerability at home.

Things have grown so heated that there has been intense speculation over whether the trip was a flight into uncertainty.

He must have extracted some assurances from former classmates in key military positions so that he would feel at ease setting foot outside the country. Everything will be fine, the support of his friends remains unshaken. Indeed, what could go wrong - barring unforeseen circumstances or unpleasant surprises, of course?

Are things really peaceful and serene for Thaksin's power base back home? Not quite. Police investigators are still enjoying their witch-hunt in the car bomb frenzy. A few military personnel have even been detained as suspects in the bizarre assassination plot, which has grown into an entertaining topic of discussion.

The so-called "confessions" sound more like cock-and-bull stories to seasoned investigators. The evidence and material witnesses are as flimsy as negligees, raising doubts whether any of this will stand up to cross-examination by sharp-minded lawyers in court.

As police ratchet up their efforts, they have also driven a wedge deeper into their already fragile relationship with the military. The air of mutual distrust thickens. The public is starting to get the feeling that the country has become a police state, with former police officers holding key positions.

Thaksin's trip overseas poses a high degree of risks for the caretaker prime minister. The vacuum of power filled temporarily by his deputy must withstand increasing public pressure and disquiet resulting from the proposed military reshuffle, in which Thaksin's classmates stand to grab less powerful seats than they had sought. If nothing happens during this trip to Finland, there will be yet another spine-tingling moment when he leaves again to attend a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Cuba. He will be quite far from home should there be some untoward incident.

Can Thaksin really trust his classmates in the military? Maybe one or two in key positions still remain loyal to him. Others have gradually moved out of his orbit as they grapple with a question that has seriously disturbed their conscience and self-esteem.

"Do you treasure the relationship you had with Thaksin during your two years in pre-cadet school more than your commitment to the many years you served in the military?"

During the past few weeks, military generals have been given information about massive corruption in the government, widespread cronyism and the self-serving pursuit of wealth, among other misdeeds on the part of the government. They are also aware of the networks of sweetheart contracts involving Suvarnabhumi Airport and other mega-projects that will enrich certain people for decades.

Key commanders have been convinced that if these networks of corruption are allowed to prosper, the country will face a ruinous future. The damage to the national political, economic and social structure will be unprecedented.

The Senate's selection of a new Election Commission was further testimony that the people cannot expect lawmakers to work for the national interest. Politicians seem incapable of fulfilling the people's wish for a promising future, as far as the first step towards political reform is concerned. The pattern of votes confirmed earlier public suspicions that some senators must have had their hands greased to serve the interest of the powers-that-be. That's why those candidates who have been hostile to corrupt politicians in power were not elected. The public will have to settle for less and hope that the new commission can enforce fair play.

In a bad sign for Thaksin, murmurs about a possible coup d'etat have found many receptive ears among those who have come to realise that there is no plausible means to effect a change of government and usher out the caretaker leader without violence. If the people are divided and poised to fight for what they believe in, or duped to protect somebody, then there are few ways forward. With networks of political cronies in among the civil service, the independent agencies and the judiciary, and with politicians with private armies all working to preserve the increasing tendency of authoritarian rule, a general election is not likely to be a workable solution. This is especially true as long as big money is allowed to play a big roll.

That's why certain powerful figures and people in high places have concluded that "extraordinary circumstances must be dealt with by extraordinary means". It doesn't take much to understand this situation. The remaining questions are how and when.

What has Thaksin done so far? Publicly he has vowed to fight on and intends to win the election, if it ever comes. The public has not noticed his gradual transfers of financial and material assets to his London estates through ships and as airfreight.

A Russian transport plane was chartered recently to carry a huge lot of cargo. It landed at an airbase with the permission of Air Force authorities. No need to ask for details. The next flight may be just for family members and kin who want to leave in a hurry.

Sopon Onkgara

- The Nation Editorial

[John K]

For someone who has only publicly said he is not sure if he will take the PM seat, it sure looks like he has always wanted it and just continued to try to deceive the public.

So now with the bomb episode rapidly losing steam Thaksin is desperately trying to salvage the facade by trying to link it to virtually everyone who apposes him. I suspect sooner or later it will get to everyone.

It has come to the point that Thaksin can only say lies because anything that even remotely resembles the truth would be negative for him at this point.

The fact that he is on an extended trip outside of the country is troubling in that it matches his style to be away when his helpers are doing his dirty work. The fact that he has been mostly silent for a few days leading up to this trip also suggests there is a Thaksin plot about to be executed. Whatever it is it should be very easy to see through as is would have been hastily conceived. Now that Thaksin knows who the new Election Commissioners are he now knows his chances about the TRT being dissolved and his chances in the upcoming election. The only question is how secure does he feel now. Answer that question and you will know his next move as the less secure he feels the more drastic the measures he will take.

[John K]

POWER STRUGGLE

There will be no coup in Thailand says PM

Arrested officer implicates three senior men in assassination plot

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday denied that there was any move to launch a coup in Thailand.

Thaksin was speaking at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Finland.

"I've never said that there was any movement suggestive of a coup plan. From as far as I know, there's no such movement for the time being," he said.

However, he said rumours about a coup were indeed swirling because some people really wanted a coup to take place.

An army officer said to be the key suspect in a plot to assassinate Thaksin has allegedly implicated three more senior officers.

He is reported to have named three majors general and two sergeants.

They are alleged to have built the failed bomb in Lop Buri.

Sgt-Major Chakhrit Janthara, who surrendered to police last Wednesday, allegedly said majors general "Kor, Phor and Por" conspired in the assassination plot.

All three were assigned to the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) and were close to General Pallop Pinmanee. He was sacked as Isoc deputy director for "betraying" Thai Rak Thai, said a police source.

Chakhrit had previously implicated a four-star general as the plot mastermind. He implicated four other Isoc officers as accomplices.

According to the source, Chakhrit said in addition to the Daewoo sedan car bomb, officers had weapons hidden in a gold-bronze-coloured Nissan pickup in case the bomb failed.

The pickup was parked at a hotel at Thon Buri a few hours before the car bomb operation failed.

Weapons in the pickup were from a military unit in Lop Buri, the source said.

Police have yet to locate the pickup.

A source said police found explosives hidden in the Daewoo sedan were prepared by two sergeants of a military unit in Lop Buri.

Crime Suppression Division chief Police Maj-General Winai Thongsong said a police search of seven Bangkok homes of military personnel allegedly linked to the assassination plot uncovered only documents that may or may not be useful in the investigation.

Police yesterday upped security at the Crime Suppression Division where Sgt-Major Chakhrit is detained.

Police commandos guard him around the clock.

Special locks secure the division building and only high-ranking police and division officials are allowed to enter.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/11...cs_30013304.php

[John K]

And the list goes on and on and on......

3 more major generals implicated in alleged bomb plot

An army officer said to be the key suspect in a plot to assassinate Thaksin Shinawatra has allegedly implicated three more senior officers.

He is reported to have named three majors general and two sergeants.

They are alleged to have built the failed bomb in Lop Buri.

Sgt-Major Chakhrit Janthara, who surrendered to police last Wednesday, allegedly said majors general "Kor, Phor and Por" conspired in the assassination plot.

All three were assigned to the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) and were close to General Pallop Pinmanee. He was sacked as Isoc deputy director for "betraying" the Thai Rak Thai, said a police source.

Chakhrit had previously implicated a four-star general as the plot mastermind. He implicated four other Isoc officers as accomplices.

The Nation

[ilyushin]

Too bad not a corps or a coup! What are the alternatives to push this f-cked up beyond repair PM out of office? He will buy votes and remain in power and it will only get worse. If the military wanted him dead. He would be dead. I've seen a lot, but this is just too much!

Read this carefully:

Thaksin was speaking at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Finland.

"I've never said that there was any movement suggestive of a coup plan. From as far as I know, there's no such movement for the time being," he said.

What a <deleted>!

[John K]

I wonder if a PM who suffers hallucinations can be removed on medical grounds.

[ilyushin]

I wonder if a PM who suffers hallucinations can be removed on medical grounds.

PLEASE!

[Arkady]

Mr. Sirichai: none of the four military members related to the car bomb were ordered to take a break from their jobs

Defense Ministry's Permanent Secretary Sirichai Tanyasiri (สิริชัย ธัญญสิริ) said he did not order the military members, who were involved in the car bomb plot against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to take a break from their posts.

Gen. Sirichai stated that only Captain Thawatchai Klinchana (ธวัชชัย กลิ่นชะนะ) was ordered to take a break because of his illegal action. He said further that the Ministry of Defense must be more cautious in dispatching military members to help perform the government's tasks, to prevent possible criminal activities from taking place.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 08 September 2006

This one of the funniest quotes so far on this case. Military officers who are supposedly culprits in a plot to murder the PM are permitted to continue working away at their jobs involving national security.

The additional culprits have been named in time to add some bulk to the PM's wingeing in Helsinki about the opposition groups trying to oust him by foul means.

Only the two most junior soldiers allegedly involved in the plot are singing to police. Tawatchai's confession seems incoherent and meaningless. The sergeant has been more helpful but the originality of his confession is open to doubt and he is at liberty to withdraw the whole thing before trial.

[Jai Dee]

Pol.Maj.Gen. Jate confirms that no further arrest warrant against the suspect of the car bomb plot has been issued

Metropolitan Police Bureau vice Commissioner Jate Mongkolhathi (เจตน์ มงคลหัตถี) confirmed that he has not issued additional arrest warrants against the suspect of the car bomb plot.

As the head of the investigation team of the case, Police Major General Jate dismissed news claiming further arrest warrants were issued. He added that no further apprehension has been implemented as well.

He informed that officials now are investigating on the matter and sifting through evidence to find more accomplices.

This morning, the investigating team has been called to a meeting to report the progress of the case.

He said that Sergeant Major 1st Class Chakhrit Chanthara (ชาคริต จันทระ), who is still being held at the Crime Suppression Division, will not be taken to do a re-enactment today.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 11 September 2006

[womble]

A reconstruction would be so powerful on TV. It could be explosive, that might be pushing things too far with some sections of the army.

Should a re-enactment take place then I think Thaksin will win this battle of truth to the masses.

[Jai Dee]

Pol.Lt.Gen. Montri: bomb specialists invited to attend the meeting to find more facts about the car bomb plot

Pol. Lt. Gen. Montri Jamroon (มนตรี จำรูญ), the Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, indicated that the meeting between the bomb specialists today was to find the connection between the evidence and the interrogation.

As the chief of the case investigation, Pol. Lt. Gen. Montri today invited bomb specialists to join a meeting to discuss on the progress of the bomb plot incident. He said he could not set the timeframe for this issue as many evidences are waiting to be sifted through.

The bomb specialists have been dispatched from the Scientific Crime Detection Division of King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang and the government agencies. They will inspect the intensity of the bomb.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 13 September 2006

[Jai Dee]

Sgt-Major Chakhrit Janthara re-enacts the alleged car-bomb plot at Bangkok military airport on Saturday. The case has been shrouded in suspicion since Chakhrit named three generals as conspirators.

Source: The Nation - 13 September 2006

[Jai Dee]

Pol. Lt. Gen. Montri denies to disclose the details of additional interrogation of Sergeant Major 1st Class Chakhrit

Pol. Lt. Gen. Montri Jamroon (มนตรี จำรูญ), the Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, stated that the interrogation of Sergeant Major 1st Class Chakhrit Chanthara (ชาคริต จันทระ) is over suspicious points and has denied to disclose details of the matter.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Montri said after attending a meeting to acknowledge the investigation progress of the car bomb plot against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He disclosed that the investigation reports from the experts have been handed to him but they are not completed yet, especially the investigation result of the bomb circuit board.

However, no report of the interrogation has been revealed from inquiry officials as whether Sergeant Major 1st Class Chakhrit has implicated that the plans were made at the golf course of the Royal Thai Army.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 September 2006

[Jai Dee]

Pol.Maj. Gen. Jate: further arrest warrants have not been issued yet

Metropolitan Police Bureau vice Commissioner Jate Mongkolhathi (เจตน์ มงคลหัตถี) insisted that further arrest warrants will not be issued, while officials have been ordered to inspect the scene again.

As the Chief in charge of investigating the car bomb plot, Police Major General Jate said that he cannot issue further arrest warrants as there is no enough evidence to find more accomplices involved. He said that officials must search for more evidence from the suspects and the case scene.

Currently, officials are examining the level of the explosive charges from the bomb. In regards to the request to hold Lt. Col. Manas Sukprasert (มนัส สุขประเสริฐ) and Captain Thawatchai Klinchana (ธวัชชัย กลิ่นชะนะ), the military court is still considering on the mattter.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 September 2006

[John K]

search plant

from with

[cclub75]

And now, ladies and gentlemen... the hip hop style hat with a headphone hidden inside !

I leave you there, i must go to watch again my DVD collection of Benny Hill.

Bangkok Post 17 september

Chakrit Chantra, the only suspect to have confessed in the alleged plot to kill caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, finally got his hip hop-style hat back yesterday after three days without it. Sgt-Maj Chakrit, also known as Ja Yak, had repeatedly asked police to return the hat after they took it away on Tuesday following a senior military officer's allegation that a headphone had been hidden inside it.

''I cannot do without it,'' Ja Yak said of his black hat. ''It gives me confidence.''

(to follow)

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/17Sep2006_news02.php

[John K]

George;

we need some new Smilies. One for absurd, one for ridiculous, one for grasping for straws, and a square one that does not listen to anyone.

[Jai Dee]

Police play down car bomb probe

Police backtracked in their investigation into the alleged car-bomb plot against ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, saying they could only bring a charge of unlawful possession of explosives against Lieutenant Thawatchai Klinchana.

Spokesman Lt-General Ajiravid Subarnbhesaj yesterday went back on the firm earlier stance that the police had evidence of the assassination plot on Thaksin to now saying the investigation could only find a clear offence of unlawful possession of explosives.

Police still had work to do in gathering evidence about the alleged plot, he said, adding that he will make an announcement about the case today.

Crime Suppression Commander Lt-General Montri Jamroon suspended the meeting of case investigators. Montri had earlier said police would quickly gather evidence and conclude the case for the military court prosecutors, and would push for an early hearing for the three state witnesses due to the fear they might change their testimonies.

Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Maj-General Jate Mongkonhatthee said yesterday he could not tell what the investigation team will do next, pending further instruction from their commander.

"It should not be a problem because, according to the justice system, the police still have the legal authority to gather evidence for the prosecutors," he said.

A source said some police were worried the recent coup would affect the probe, as witnesses were now lacking confidence and the suspects were high-ranking Army officers.

Thawatchai was arrested on August 24 in a car loaded with explosive devices not far from Thaksin's residence. The ensuing police investigation into the alleged assassination plot implicated four Army officers who, like Thawatchai, also worked at the Internal Security Operations Command. They included Maj-General Phairoj Theerapharb, Colonel Suraphol Supradit, Lt-Colonel Manas Sukprasert and Sgt-Major Chakhrit Janthara.

Previous statements had said that Thawatchai would face four additional charges - the attempted murder of an acting official; the attempted murder of others; criminal conspiracy; and forging and using official documents.

At the office of the Crime Suppression Division, the detained Chakhrit, who had implicated other Army officers, appeared worried following the coup as soldiers were being stationed in front of the building.

Source: The Nation - 22 September 2006

[John K]

I can think of several classic comedy skits...

Me? Oh no not me...it was the other guys. I was just asking him what his favorite restaurant was.

[Ricardo]

followed by a Benny-Hill-style chase-scene. A fitting end to a hoax bomb-plot.

On a serious note, let's hope that the key-figure & innocent-dupe driver of the car, doesn't have to spend too much longer in 'Clink Street', and will be permitted to return to his family. There are real, if 'little', peoples' lives involved here.