Police, Democrat supporters in clash

Kamronwit sent his subordinate, Maj-Gen Chaiwat Chantaworalak, to submit the letter. But Chaiwat was roundly booed by Democrat supporters, forcing him to cross the street while waiting for his vehicle. 

On Monday, Kamronwit told the media he would visit Democrat headquarters at 11am yesterday to submit a letter asking the party to cease their attacks on him. The Democrats have targeted the city police chief for allowing former PM Thaksin Shinawatra – a fugitive from justice – to decorate him with insignia after his promotion as police chief. Kamronwit said he admired and respected Thaksin and that their relationship has nothing to do with his job as a police officer. 

About 200 police went to the party’s headquarters to show solidarity with Kamronwit, though they were not officially deployed.

Pol Sub-Lieutenant Somkid Sawangnil from the Metropolitan Police Bureau said he and his group came in support of Kamronwit, not as part of their duties. He said police today were persecuted by politicians, adding that he wanted to stand up for the dignity of police. Kamronwit’s loyalty to Thaksin was admirable and had nothing to do with politics, he said. 

Somkid admitted he made the visit during his working hours, but said he intended to spend only a short time there.

Pol Lt-Col Chumpol Kananurak of Phaya Thai station and 200 other police officers were on hand to secure the scene in case of a violent confrontation. He later told the protesting officers to disperse after learning of Kamronwit’s cancellation.

Trang MP Satit Wongnongtaey told supporters at Democrat office the dispute had its origins in a malfeasance case filed by party lawyer Rames Rattanachaweng against Kamronwit for failing to arrest Thaksin during a meeting between the two men, and proudly displaying in his office a picture of the fugitive former PM decorating Kamronwit’s uniform with the insignia of Metropolitan Police chief.

“If Kamronwit comes here, I’d like to ask him this: ‘From now on, to whom can the people turn for help?’” Satit said, adding the police chief would do well to remember his salary is paid by taxpayers. 

Democrat supporters jeered and tried to surround red-shirts who drove or walked past the area. They shouted that police were causing difficulties for people by organising a mob of their own. However, other Democrats stepped in to hush vocal protesters, fearing violence would erupt. 

The rally of party supporters was intended in part to coincide with the Senate’s vote on whether to impeach veteran Democrat Suthep Thaugsuban. A cheer went up from the assembled party faithful when news arrived that he had survived impeachment.

Chairman of the House panel on police affairs, Trang MP Somchai Losatapornpipit, said the committee was ready to receive a complaint from Democrat MPs about Kamronwit’s behaviour. It is due to be submitted today.