Police cracks down on influential figures

Most of the targeted premises were those of former or local politicians. They included the house of former Chart Thai Pattana Party MP Chada Thaiset and a resort building under the care of Chada’s nephew. 

The 200-strong “Yutthakan Sakaekrang” operation was led by acting CSD chief Pol Colonel Akkaradech Pimolsri and CSD deputy chief Pol Colonel Kornchai Klaikleung. It seized 20 guns, four bullet-proof vests, two tiger skins, two pairs of wildlife horns and a clouded leopard carcass.

Kornchai said the operation was part of the Royal Thai Police’s policy to suppress crime, crack down on influential figures and hired guns. Kornchai said police would submit the guns for ballistic testing and check if they were linked to any crime.

It was reported that Niran Pheungsamper, a suspect wanted for the murder of Kamphaeng Phet-based Pol Colonel Kirkrit Niyomserm at his Nakhon Sawan home in April 2011, was lying low in Uthai Thani and there was a report he knew Chada, according to police. 

At Chada’s home in Muang district, officers found only Chada’s sister, Mananya Thaiset, and discovered a pistol and ammunition. The 200-rai resort home under the care of Chada’s 27-year-old nephew Jayset Sukses did not yield any illegal items, although police impounded a BMW motorbike as it reportedly had no ownership documents.

Mananya denied knowing or ever seeing Niran. She didn’t know if Chada – who at the time was travelling to Bangkok on an errand – personally knew the fugitive. However, Chada was a politician who knew many people, she said. She also dismissed the allegation that her family members were influential figures in the province.