Khanchit surrenders, denies charge of premeditated murder
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Democrat MP Khanchit Thabsuwan yesterday turned himself in to police after an arrest warrant was issued for him and denied the charge of premeditated murder for the fatal shooting of local politician Udorn Kraiwatnusorn, who was affiliated with the ruling
After an hour of questioning by police, Khanchit was released and evaded reporters approaching him.
“You ask my constituents about their opinions [of Udorn]. I never had any conflict with anyone,” he said.
Appearing tense and tired, Khanchit reported to a police training unit in neighbouring Nakhon Pathom in a bullet-proof SUV amid heavy police protection.
Democrat MP Niphit Intharasombat, a legal adviser to the opposition party, accompanied the sole suspect and answered most of the reporters’ questions on his behalf, while insisting on denying the charge.
He said Khanchit would utilise his parliamentary immunity in future questioning by police, by giving his statements behind closed doors.
Khanchit’s father Anek, a Democrat veteran, said he was not aware of his son having a conflict with anyone, or of clan or political feuds with other national or local politicians, saying the Thabsuwan family had only served constituents, and never had problems with anyone.
Anek dismissed reports about an alleged affair that Khanchit was engaged in with an ex-wife of Udorn, saying that even if there was one it should not have been the motive.
“Khanchit does not have a hot temper, he is calm and patient, and is well liked by villagers and constituents. I don’t know what caused the murder and I am not aware of any conflicts during previous political rallies,” he added.
Police are collecting more evidence in the homicide case, including the murder weapon, a .40-calibre automatic weapon of the same model Khanchit had in his possession, according to firearms registration details.
“It’s the same model and the same type of spent cartridges found at the scene,” said Pol General Pansiri Praphawat, a deputy national police chief.
The Parliament president has been informed of Khanchit's case and surrender, Pansiri said.
“MP Niphit, as the suspect’s counsel, has informed police of the parliamentary session, which ends next April,” he said without elaborating on what steps would be taken in case police had to detain Khanchit during the session and Khanchit wished to invoke his immunity.
Eyewitnesses to the shooting on Sunday and Khanchit were put under police protection and Crime Suppression commandos were being mobilised to monitor the movements of the two clans to prevent possible retaliation, he said.
