Injured Phuket police say protesters attack them without police's response
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Some injured police officers of Phuket' Thalang district testified Monday that protesters attacked them early Sunday during the riot and they did not respond to the attackers.
Three police officers testified to a team of investigators that was preparing information for filing charges against those who injured police officers during the riot.
About 20 policemen were injured when the protesters threw rocks, bricks and wooden against them and most suffered head injuries, Pol Lt Col Akanit Danpithaksart, deputy commander of Krathu police station, testified.
He said 17 of the injured policemen were treated at the Wachira Phuket Hospital.
Akanit, Pol Col Sompong Boonyarat, commander of Mueang Phuket police station, and Pol Lt Col Boriboon Yusuksomboon, deputy commander of Kamala police station, met the investigation team at the Mueang district police station to give their accounts.
Akanit told investigators that he commanded 60 policemen to protect the Thalang police station.
He said his unit retreated at 3:30 am Sunday and while his unit was walking near the Thalang intersection, a group of teenagers turned up to provoke them by throwing rocks and other things at them.
The teenagers also shouted that police were harming them, prompting other protesters to join the attack.
Akanit said he suffered a big cut on his head and received five stitches.
