Kamnan Poh behind bars at last | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Kamnan Poh behind bars

Police arrest fugitive on tollway after 2-month operation

Published: 30 Jan 2013 at 12.13
Online news:

After almost seven years on the run, Somchai Khunploem, better known as Kamnan Poh, is now behind bars.

The arrest of the former mayor of Saen Suk municipality at Lat Krabang motorway's toll gate was the culmination of a top-secret police operation spanning more than two months.

Somchai, once dubbed the "Godfather of Chon Buri",s was convicted in March last year in absentia by the Supreme Court for masterminding the murder of political rival Prayoon Sitthichoke at a wedding reception in March 2003. He was handed a sentence of 25 years in prison.

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rico
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Discussion 36 : 31 Jan 2013 at 18.3036
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The article starts with "After almost seven years on the run" ..... it seems to me that he was not really on the run since he was regulary seen in Chonburi and a lot of people knew his whereabouts al the time. There was rather no interest by the local law-enforcers (police/judiciary) to proceed to his arrest. Its not difficult to assume the reason for this. Cops from outside Chonburi finally (after 7 years) decided it was enough.
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Ian
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Discussion 35 : 31 Jan 2013 at 09.3835
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Bkk-farang 32. You are the only person who noticed his medical condition, congratulations. Type 2 diabetes combined with high blood pressure can have serious complications, kidney failure, blindness, peripheral nerve destruction, coma, etc. I will not be surprised to see him soon released to a secure private hospital ward.
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boontong
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Discussion 34 : 31 Jan 2013 at 09.0834
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Good job - police officers. Keep it up.
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 33 : 31 Jan 2013 at 08.3933
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I think the sentence “Somchai […] was convicted [‘’] for masterminding the murder of political rival” is important here. This clearly states that his crime was politically motivated and as we all know politically motivated crimes are something very special with this Shinawatra government. Will the red-shirts come out to the streets again and demand that another political prisoner should free? Just asking
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 32 : 31 Jan 2013 at 08.2932
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I want to add one more possibility to my list #28:
E) The guy is maybe so sick that he will die in a few weeks anyhow. He might go to hospital for a little or he will be allowed to die at peace at home for humanitarian reasons.
This makes the police look good to show that they actually do something from time to time and our politicians can boast that they are not scared of any influential persons. And is there not a policeman who is now PT candidate to run for Bangkok governor who has to show some results?
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david

Discussion 31 : 31 Jan 2013 at 08.2131
wow guess any designated prison will warmly welcome him, perhaps with red carpet, flowers & cocktail party.
from iPhone application.
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faranginkorat
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Discussion 30 : 31 Jan 2013 at 07.5130
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A good example of why serious offenders should not be granted bail while appealing. It is also interesting that the police knew where he was but needed to wait until he left Chonburi before arresting him.
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djay
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Discussion 29 : 31 Jan 2013 at 07.3929
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Convicted of this, godfather of that, wrap sheet as long as, crime family, and politician. Interesting resume.
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 28 : 31 Jan 2013 at 07.0728
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I wonder what is really going on here. Why did the police arrest the Godfather of Chon Buri now? Following options come to my mind:
A) There are some honest and incorruptible police officers who just did their job
B) Someone was so ignorant not to know the unwritten law that you don’t arrest certain people
C) Maybe someone in Kamnan Poh family did not like him anymore
D) A crime family which is even more powerful than Kamnan Poh decided to make a statement who is in charge here.
I think the chances for A or B are minimal. C is a possibility but I think D is the most likely. It is your guess who this more powerful crime family could be.
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brilliant
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Discussion 27 : 31 Jan 2013 at 06.0927
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I've spent less time searching for something that I misplaced and thought that I would never see again and found accidentally. The guy was hiding in plain view for seven years. Perhaps the tea money he was paying wasn't enough any more. Either way, he needs to be behind bars.
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Kamnan Poh behind bars at last | Bangkok Post: breakingnews