Arrest warrants out for Phuket rioters

The chaos – which saw 10 cars set ablaze, damage to the station and some police officers sustaining injuries – erupted when people protested outside the station demanding justice for two young men who were killed after a police pickup truck hit their motorcycle in a chase. The youngsters had reportedly jumped a checkpoint and were believed to be carrying drugs.
Thesa said the list of suspects was sent to the Phuket provincial governor so he could have district authorities and community leaders make the names public and encourage them to surrender to police. They face charges of burning a state office and blocking a thoroughfare.
Since most of the suspects are young people, he said the police would not conduct a search for them in a manner that could lead to more violence. Also, a physiologist and public prosecutor will join the interrogation sessions after the suspects surrender, he added.
As for investigation into the two deaths, particularly in relation to the four policemen involved, Thesa said police had yet to contact the government-assigned fact-finding committee for results. The four officers in question – who were transferred to Surat Thani province after the riot – have returned to Thalang Police Station as the situation has been resolved and most people understand that the deaths were accidental, he added.