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Phuket defence volunteer to face assault charge, for now
Saroj Kueprasertkij


38-year-old Amnard Choodet was arrested on Sept 9 for assaulting a Kuwaiti tourist.

PHUKET: -- The Kathu territorial defence volunteer who attacked a Kuwaiti tourist last week is to face trial for assault. However, it is not yet known whether he will face an additional charge for carrying a gun in public without permission.

Deputy Superintendent of Kathu police station Col Akanit Danpitaksan yesterday (Sept 14) told The Phuket News 38-year-old Amnard Choodet, 38, who attacked Mr Fahad Al Mutariy 57 on September 9 has already been charged with personal assault and that a decision on whether to charge him with carrying a gun in public without permission will be reached soon.

“It does not matter if he is a volunteer or an ordinary person. If his action is against the law we have to charge him as usual.

“With regards to the gun charge, we have to investigate this case further. It will take about a month,” Col Akanit confirmed.

The penalty for personal assault is two years imprisonment and/or a B2,000 fine, whilst the penalty for carrying a gun in public without permission is 5 years imprisonment and/or a B100,000 fine.

Meanwhile, Kathu inspector, Maj Col Theerasak Boonsangt added that had tried to negotiate with Mr Fahad before taking the case to court.

“He did not suffer any major injury and was released from the hospital the same day. He has carried on with his trip around Thailand and is currently in Chiang Mai.

“He is very angry about the incident but does not care about receiving any compensation. He just wants justice from the courts,” Col Theerasak said.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-defence-volunteer-to-face-assault-charge-for-now-54110.php


-- Phuket News 2015-09-15

[Old Croc]

A month to decide if there should be any gun charges!

It should take about ten minutes to decide if he is allowed to carry one in public. let alone use it to assault a stranger!

The victim didn't want to be bought off, he just wants justice. What a concept to wrap your head around in Thailand!

[steelepulse]

Wasn't the guy caught red handed pistol whipping the tourist? What utter BS they need a month to consider. It's more like a month to come up with a mutually acceptable number to drop the gun charge, then let POS off with a 2000 baht fine when his time in court comes. Guaranteed if the roles were reversed, the tourist would be looking at 10 years minimum, then a much higher get out of jail free card payoff.

[waza]

The Kuwaiti tourist will be gone in a month, then it can all be brushed under the mat

[stevenl]

The Kuwaiti tourist will be gone in a month, then it can all be brushed under the mat

Nonsense, it can be brushed under the carpet whether he is here or not.

[Nemesis7]

1. Whats a Defense volunteer?

2. why is he Armed in Civil uniform?

3. One month to Charge?

4. Whats a Maj Col rank? Its either a Major or a Colonel, unless its like the character from the Movie Dictator where the guy was an Admiral General...

5. Why try to negotiate with some one who wants to file charges?

6. even if he was a Service personnel, is he allowed to hit a civilian with his signing arms? what to talk about hitting a foreigner??

7. Justice must be served ( but we all know nothing will happen in this case since the police already wanted to negotiate)

8. How come in this picture the cops are not pointing? I thought its the customary to point fingers at the accused.

9. Im my opinion he should be even charged to attempted to murder.

10. Phuket has already earned enough bad reputation, its time they start cleaning their town.

Edited September 15, 2015 by Nemesis7