Police commandos raid ex-minister's home, who denies aides' role in crimes

[Lite Beer]

Police commandos raid ex-minister's home, who denies aides' role in crimes
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Many guns recovered after home of Chaiya Sasomsub searched; police chief says 'operation Pathom chedi' aims to uphold law

FORMER minister Chaiya Sasomsub, whose home was the target of a search by commando police yesterday, has denied that his aides shot dead a policeman and gamblers in Nakhon Pathom province.

He also insisted that all weapons found on his estate were legally registered.

The politician, a deputy leader of the now-dissolved People Power Party, is widely seen as an influential figure in the province.

"There have been allegations against my aides. But I can guarantee that none of them are involved in the crimes," he said yesterday.

He spoke after 220 commando police carried out simultaneous raids at 13 target locations in Nakhon Pathom, including his house.

"I am ready to cooperate with officials," he said. "But I believe the allegations against my aides is an attempt

to damage [my] reputation".

He refused, however, to speculate on whether he was being singled out due to his political affiliations.

Chaiya is seen as being close to the Pheu Thai Party, which lost power through the 2014 coup.

National police chief General Somyot Poompanmoung, meanwhile, firmly denied that Chaiya was being discriminated against.

"We took similar actions when blatant crimes affecting public morale took place," he said.

Earlier this month, he signed an order transferring many police out of Nakhon Pathom after several violent incidents took place recently, including the fatal shooting of a Special Branch policeman.



29 gun crimes this year

At least 29 gun-related crimes have taken place in Nakhon Pathom since January.

An informed source alleged that people from Chaiya's close circle were involved in many of these cases, adding that the former minister himself was facing legal action for alleged gun-related offences.

Crime Suppression Division (CSD) acting chief Colonel Akaradej Pimolsri led the team of commando police in the so-called "Pathom Chedi" operation yesterday.

In raids at 13 locations, police uncovered 19 pistols, six rifles, 1,106 rounds of ammunition, 27 magazines, 16 vehicle licence plates, one bullet-proof vest, two radio-communication devices and football betting lists. Many of the weapons were found at Chaiya's house.

Satisfactory results

Four suspects were also arrested during the searches.

"The operations aim to uphold the sanctity of the law," Akaradej said.

He said the operation was set up after several people complained to Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha that there had been many shootings in Nakhon Pathom. Some suspected gamblers were shot dead and investigations into these cases had made very little progress.

"So, we decided to search the estates of influential figures," Akaradej said.

The operation was carried out with collaboration of various police units, including CSD and the Provincial Police Region 7.

Akaradej said the raids had delivered satisfactory results, with a huge amount of guns and ammunition discovered. He said that police would man more checkpoints to see if anybody was illegally carrying arms.

"We will stage such operations not just in Nakhon Pathom, but in several other provinces as we strive to suppress crime and boost public safety," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Police-commandos-raid-ex-ministers-home-who-denies-30261258.html

-- The Nation 2015-05-30

[trogers]

It is no surprise for crooks to claim political harassment when caught in their crimes.

This is what you get when mafia bosses can buy votes and become ministers - Democracy!

[JimHuaHin]

So true trogers .... since the 1960s .. some 'marfia' bosses have bought their way into politics and ministries ...

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

It's the only reason most crooks turn to politics. Easy to use your power to hide your crimes. Religion works well too. Combine the 2 and you really have a good bunch of BS to hide behind.

[Bluespunk]

"There have been allegations against my aides. But I can guarantee that none of them are involved in the crimes," he said yesterday."

May come to regret those words.

[Happy Grumpy]

Purge, purge, purge the opposition, gently down the stream.

Merrily merrily merrily merrily, fair elections are just a dream.

Edited May 30, 2015 by Happy Grumpy

[mikemac]

The police have never done so much work in their lives !

[mikemac]

Purge, purge, purge the opposition, gently down the stream.

Merrily merrily merrily merrily, fair elections are just a dream.

Tell me, how are you ever going to have fair elections in this country if you don't "wash away" all the filth first ?

You would have to be the village idiot to believe otherwise !

[Gandtee]

I thought the caption to the picture was 'We ordered fries with this'!!

[Thaddeus]

I thought the caption to the picture was 'We ordered fries with this'!!

I was going to run with ''the Thai inquisition bring out the comfy chair''

[elgordo38]

Purge, purge, purge the opposition, gently down the stream.

Merrily merrily merrily merrily, fair elections are just a dream.

Tell me, how are you ever going to have fair elections in this country if you don't "wash away" all the filth first ?

You would have to be the village idiot to believe otherwise !

Me thinks all the red clothing will be washed first. Thank God I am color blind.

[NCC1701A]

commando raid? hahahaha...

this happens ten times a day in Los Angeles. It is called a LAPD SWAT team.

[Wombat6]

Purge, purge, purge the opposition, gently down the stream.

Merrily merrily merrily merrily, fair elections are just a dream.

I don't suppose you considered that most" opposition" you refer to are actually criminals ???

[Traveling Sailor]

From the picture, it looks like "tea time" to me. Are the 3 officers sitting at the table working for the "boss"? Great photo op.

[Happy Grumpy]

Purge, purge, purge the opposition, gently down the stream.

Merrily merrily merrily merrily, fair elections are just a dream.

Tell me, how are you ever going to have fair elections in this country if you don't "wash away" all the filth first ?

Well, a fair election would be not washing away anything, and letting the people choose for themselves.

Do you even know what democracy means?

Of course in Thailand the people just won't democratically elect the 'proper' people, the stinkers, so it's in everybody's interest to remove 4 democratically elected leaders in a row, yes, 4, purge all those who are tied to their parties, and then, just then, in the distant future the people might vote in the proper people, because they are the only ones left.

Never mind lad, all that's obviously above you're head.

Edited May 30, 2015 by Happy Grumpy

[jackanapes]

it seems apparent people who have an affiliation with the red shirt party are being singled out for special treatment mr chaiya stated all the weapons he owned were registered but the police confiscated them anyway another big coup for the police? petty petty

[Happy Grumpy]

it seems apparent people who have an affiliation with the red shirt party are being singled out for special treatment

No no, it's not a political purge at all.

Sickening. And some know-nothings actually support this.

Sad.