Thai police allege radical Redshirt cell behind foiled terror, assassination plot

[webfact]

Police Allege Radical Redshirt Cell Behind Foiled Terror, Assassination Plot
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Nattapol Nawanle is led through police headquarters in Bangkok today. He is accused of being part of a radical Redshirt cell plotting to disrupt the country and possibly assassinate junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha.

BANGKOK — Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha said he’s received reports of a possible attempt on his life, as police said Redshirt activists behind a disrupted terror plot are linked to an alleged radical Redshirt cell in Khon Kaen province accused last year of inciting insurrection.

Deputy police chief Sriwarah Rangsipramkul said today the military has detained two Redshirt supporters for a week and are seeking seven more in connection with an unspecified conspiracy to cause “unrest,” possibly by assassinating junta chairman Prayuth.

Yesterday Sriwarah told media agencies the group was planning to disrupt the nationwide Bike for Dad cycling event organized by the government to honor Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn and his father, King Bhumibol. Today the police general indicated he was no longer sure about their objective.

“They have targets, but we cannot confirm what those targets are,” Sriwarah said. However, he believes the group could have been thinking about seizing army barracks in the northeast as a starting point to unleash their alleged campaign of terror.

Several Redshirt leaders have dismissed the alleged plot as a work of fiction by authorities to distract the public from ongoing embarrassment over alleged corruption in the army’s Rajabhakti Park “history park.”

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1448537304&typecate=06&section=


-- Khaosod English 2015-11-27

[webfact]

PLOT TO ATTACK
Hunt for 7 more
THE NATION



PM denies security threat cooked up to divert public attention from army men's role in the Rajabhakti Park scandal

BANGKOK: -- AFTER THE arrest of two people suspected of involvement in an alleged plot to create unrest and attack government figures, police are hunting for seven more suspects, the national police chief said yesterday.

Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda confirmed that a movement plotting to create unrest really existed and that police were investigating to determine its possible links with other people.

"Anyone found to be involved will be arrested. The police and intelligence units are monitoring the movement. We are going to find those suspects who are still at large," he told a press conference at the Royal Thai Police headquarters.

The two arrested suspects - Pol Sgt-Major Prathin Chanket, who was formerly with the Border Patrol Police, and Nattaphol Nawanlay - were handed over by the military to the police yesterday.

Prathin, 60, who worked as a security guard at the Bank of Thailand's Khon Kaen branch, and Nattaphol, 26, had been involved in a plot called Khon Kaen Model to create unrest following last year's military coup, according to police.

They were initially accused of violating Article 112 of the Penal Code involving lese majeste and the Computer Crime Act.

Police had said they had evidence the suspects were planning to strike in Bangkok during the Bike for Dad cycling event on December 11.

Pol Maj-General Chayapol Chatchaidej, chief of the Crime Division who is part of the investigation team, said yesterday that the suspects were found to be planning violent attacks at some locations with a focus on Bangkok and targeting the country's VIPs.

He said police investigations pointed to the suspects' link with the so-called Khon Kaen Model, under which unrest was planned in the northeastern province last year. He said the group planned to seize many state agencies in the Northeast by force.

Chayapol said nine suspects were in this group. Prathin was a key player in the Khon Kaen Model. And Nattaphol was procuring weapons and sent messages insulting the monarchy through social media, according to the police officer.

A large cache of weapons was found in the house of another suspect who is still on the run, Chayapol said.

On May 23 last year, a few days after the coup, 21 people were arrested in Khon Kaen on suspicion of plotting unrest.

They were found to be in possession of grenades, explosive devices and hundreds of bullets. Among those arrested was Prathin, who was then working for the central bank's local branch. He was found to be connected to the red shirts.

Pol General Sriwara Ransibhram-anakul, deputy national police chief, said yesterday the group had been active for some time and had collected war weapons with the intention of creating unrest in the country. He added that police were hunting for seven other suspects who were still on the run.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday denied that the authorities were playing up this alleged plot in an attempt to divert public attention from a scandal involving the Army's project to construct the Rajabhakti Park in Hua Hin.

In response to the alleged plot targeting government figures, the PM said he would not be scared by such a threat. "I am already risking my life these days," he added.

Prayut also said the threat would not prevent him from visiting the Northeast.

Deputy Premier and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan yesterday rejected an allegation by government critics that the alleged plot was part of the government's information operation (IO).

"Real or not, the court has already approved the request for arrest warrants. That's because there's evidence. Let's wait for the result of the police investigation," he said.

When asked if he was concerned about his safety, Prawit responded that he had no conflict with anyone and that he was simply serving the country and the people.

The deputy PM said he has instructed police to increase security measures for the Bike for Dad cycling event in which HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn would also take part.

He said the police would work with the military and the National Council for Peace and Order in providing security during the big national event, when hundreds of thousands of cyclists are expected to join throughout the country.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Hunt-for-7-more-30273810.html


-- The Nation 2015-11-27

[onelasttime]

When all else fails; diversion.

'Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday denied that the authorities were playing up this alleged plot in an attempt to divert public attention from a scandal involving the Army's project to construct the Rajabhakti Park in Hua Hin."

The only thing transparent about this are their motives. I am reminded of Monty Python..'It's a witch. it's a witch". I await with baited breath.

[Rocceao]

When all else fails; diversion.

'Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday denied that the authorities were playing up this alleged plot in an attempt to divert public attention from a scandal involving the Army's project to construct the Rajabhakti Park in Hua Hin."

The only thing transparent about this are their motives. I am reminded of Monty Python..'It's a witch. it's a witch". I await with baited breath.

So what you are trying to say from your monty python quote is , that one day the authorities just woke up, got out of bed and decided to invent a planned criminal plot to carry out violent attacks.

They then picked out a few random people from the phone book and planted guns and ammunition at thier homes while the whole family was out, then hid in the bushes waiting to pounce.

Just so they could divert the mass attenion generated by park in hua hin......Really...

Edited November 26, 2015 by Rocceao

[Pimay1]

“The [Redshirt movement] has been insisting all along that we uphold nonviolent methods and democracy,” Worachai said.

Who said there's nothing new under the sun?

[tbthailand]

PM denies security threat cooked up to divert public attention from army men's role in the Rajabhakti Park scandal

fo course it's not a diversion...

Look, it is critical to this military junta that there are plenty of 'threats' out there to justify their continued domination.

It's SOP for military governments.

[NongKhaiKid]

Too many ifs and buts from both sides of this story and not helped by the ' may have been ', ' possibly ' and similar expressions used by the govt and BIB.

[harada]

Round up the usual suspects.

[metisdead]

A grammar police post has been removed as well as a post containing a derogatory slur toward Thais.

[arthurboy]

As with all previous and current events, there is absolutely no opportunity for any truly independent scrutiny by the media or other organizations to verify or refute the junta's version.

This is a false flag. Expect more to come.

[z42]

They need a win up their way, and what better time, saving the saviour of the nation from ill intentioned buffalo lackeys from Khon Kaen. All very convenient, just a shame we'll never see the "evidence" and take the RTA / RTP at their word......

[Artisi]

Follow the money, although there probably wouldn't be any surprises.

[BigBadGeordie]

Follow the money, although there probably wouldn't be any surprises.

I agree "follow the money". But that is never going to happen, as we have been told many times before that the military budget and the personal finances of the Junta are off limits to public scrutiny!

I assume that is the point you were attempting to make ;-)

Edited November 27, 2015 by BigBadGeordie

[sharecropper]

Who can seriously believe this conveniently-timed poppycock. It feels like the Khmer Rouge all over again.

[Jessi]

I dont believe anything the Government, Police or Military say, far too many lies in the past.

[trogers]

Who can seriously believe this conveniently-timed poppycock. It feels like the Khmer Rouge all over again.

Naah...the Khmer Rouge did not have a chief with a huge mansion in an oil rich country...

[graemeaylward]

Do ex police officers retain their rank even when they have left the force and been employed in another capacity for years? This main suspect is NOT in the RTP!

[EnglishJohn]

"We were peaceful and unarmed in 2010 but the Army just started shooting us."

"Suthep is throwing grenades at his own protestors to get sympathy."

Every time something like this happens we get angry denials. But the result is always the same. Red-shirts using violence and terrorism them shamelessly denying it right up until it is proven.

All historical precedents and the semi-literate sputter some people here have been ranting on about for months indicate the UDD would attempt more terrorism. And now I see we are getting the standard denials and attempts to shift the blame.

Why should we think any different this time ?.

You all know this story is completely credible. And when it is proven, you will suddenly ignore it like all the others. Hypocrisy is not strong enough for what I see.

[Baerboxer]

As with all previous and current events, there is absolutely no opportunity for any truly independent scrutiny by the media or other organizations to verify or refute the junta's version.

This is a false flag. Expect more to come.

Love it Arthur.

You state, correctly that there is absolutely no opportunity for independent scrutiny (not that an investigative media exists here) and then declare it a "false flag".

How do you know? You just said there's no way of knowing?

Did a UDD mate tell you? They don't lie and always admit responsibility eh?

[Thai at Heart]

So they were accused last year of insurrection and this year they decided to kill Prayuth.....

Yeah right...

[Baerboxer]

Follow the money, although there probably wouldn't be any surprises.

I agree "follow the money". But that is never going to happen, as we have been told many times before that the military budget and the personal finances of the Junta are off limits to public scrutiny!

I assume that is the point you were attempting to make ;-)

Yes, lots of things off limit in Thailand. And the UAE banks don't divulge information to anyone either.

[arthurboy]

As with all previous and current events, there is absolutely no opportunity for any truly independent scrutiny by the media or other organizations to verify or refute the junta's version.

This is a false flag. Expect more to come.

Love it Arthur.

You state, correctly that there is absolutely no opportunity for independent scrutiny (not that an investigative media exists here) and then declare it a "false flag".

How do you know? You just said there's no way of knowing?

Did a UDD mate tell you? They don't lie and always admit responsibility eh?

I do know because the media is reporting the stories. However, their veracity is impossible to know.

Plot the number of junta scandals and screw ups alongside the number of 'threats' to happiness.

You will note a convenient correlation.

[Artisi]

Follow the money, although there probably wouldn't be any surprises.

I agree "follow the money". But that is never going to happen, as we have been told many times before that the military budget and the personal finances of the Junta are off limits to public scrutiny!

I assume that is the point you were attempting to make ;-)

For repartie 100% but for comment_ 0/10,​ as the military wouldn't have to fund anything as they would just call for volunteers military style - - - -​you you

and you step forward.

But good try anyway .

Edited November 27, 2015 by Artisi

[devaram]

Thats not terrorism thats revolution

[oneday]

This illegal government, that is clearly in the "yellow" camp, never misses an opportunity to accuse their hated nemesis of every atrocity under the sun.

The junta needs to provide real solid evidence that the perpetrators are indeed guilty, that they unquestionably belong to the red shirt faction and that they were sanctioned by the core red shirt leaders. That is a lot to prove.

[Baerboxer]

As with all previous and current events, there is absolutely no opportunity for any truly independent scrutiny by the media or other organizations to verify or refute the junta's version.

This is a false flag. Expect more to come.

Love it Arthur.

You state, correctly that there is absolutely no opportunity for independent scrutiny (not that an investigative media exists here) and then declare it a "false flag".

How do you know? You just said there's no way of knowing?

Did a UDD mate tell you? They don't lie and always admit responsibility eh?

I do know because the media is reporting the stories. However, their veracity is impossible to know.

Plot the number of junta scandals and screw ups alongside the number of 'threats' to happiness.

You will note a convenient correlation.

So you believe everything you read in the papers or see on the TV news?

Which media outlet said this is a false flag operation?

[smutcakes]

I believe they have now been charged with LM, so conveniently we will never get to find out the details.......

[Artisi]

I dont believe anything the Government, Police or Military say, far too many lies in the past.

How about the camel herder and his rabble, are they reliable and trustworthy in what they say?

[Baerboxer]

This illegal government, that is clearly in the "yellow" camp, never misses an opportunity to accuse their hated nemesis of every atrocity under the sun.

The junta needs to provide real solid evidence that the perpetrators are indeed guilty, that they unquestionably belong to the red shirt faction and that they were sanctioned by the core red shirt leaders. That is a lot to prove.

They're not illegal and have been approved by the highest authority in the land. We might not agree with how that came about, but our opinions don't make it illegal.

They don't have to prove anything - they can do it behind closed doors. Just as any government in the world can do these days when it suits them.

As individuals, the information and knowledge age is actually reducing our freedoms rather than increasing them.

[Baerboxer]

I believe they have now been charged with LM, so conveniently we will never get to find out the details.......

Surprise surprise - not.