FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Army colonel linked to LM case

Army colonel linked to LM case

THE national police chief said yesterday he was convinced an Army colonel was involved in a high-profile lese majeste case, which has seen three people arrested.

Police General Chakthip Chaijinda said investigators were gathering evidence to support their case. 
“We will report it when there is clarity about this,” he said, adding that the military had cooperated with police over the investigation.
However, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan yesterday dismissed speculation that an Army colonel was involved in the case, in which the suspects are accused of violating Article 112 of the Criminal Code.
“If that was the case, the relevant authorities would have reported that to me. That’s because I also oversee the police force,” he said.
Meanwhile, former police spokesman General Prawut Thavornsiri has returned to Thailand but did not show up for work yesterday.
Chakthip said yesterday that Prawut, who was recently replaced as spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, had called to tell him he was back from an overseas trip. 
“He told me not to tell the media, as he came back a few days before his scheduled return on November 1,” Chakthip said.
Prawut did not show up for work at his office at police headquarters yesterday, according to some officials at the office, who said they did not know when he would return.
His aide could be reached by phone and did not return calls from reporters.
The police chief said yesterday that Prawut did not tell him whether he wanted to resign from the force and seek early retirement, as speculated.
Prawut is now a senior adviser for traffic and technology affairs, according to Chakthip. He said that according to the police regulations, any officer who fails to show up for work for more than 15 consecutive days would be fired.
The police chief said investigators would decide whether to question Prawut in their probe into a high-profile lese majeste case involving well-known fortune-teller Suriyan Sujaritpolwong, police officer Colonel Prakrom Warunprapa and Suriyan’s secretary Jirawong Wattanathewasilp. 
Chakthip said he did not know if Prawut had close ties with Prakrom, who reportedly hanged himself while in military detention. He said the two had worked together during the Bike for Mum event in August. 
He said police had confiscated assets from Suriyan’s relatives, who were not named, that were allegedly earned dishonestly. He said police would determine if Suriyan’s family members should be charged. 
 
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