CRIME

Police have widened their investigation into the assault of workers at a demolition company after concluding that mafia enforcers in uniform may have been involved in the crime.

Crime Suppression Division chief Supisarn Bhakdinarinath said yesterday the police had not discounted the possible role of mafia figures in the attack.

Bangkok Recycle and Reuse Co told the CSD that more than 40 men attacked 50 of the company's workers on Tuesday as they were dismantling four buildings on Rama III Road.

Investigators are sifting through evidence to identify suspects.

Pol Maj Gen Supisarn said police have no leads.

Pol Col Piya Charoensuk, a CSD superintendent, said on Wednesday the CSD wanted to question an executive of the demolition firm and his workers.

Police are gathering information about the assault from Bang Phongphang police station, where the complaint was filed.

The investigators are trying to find out if the men dressed in military uniforms, who beat up and tried to extort the workers, were actually soldiers.

Some witnesses say the men wore what looked like the uniforms of air force personnel.

Air force spokesman Monthon Satchukorn said the police have not contacted the force over the attack. He said he thought it rather far-fetched that air force officers had been involved in the crime.

"It's hard to believe someone would wear uniforms when committing a crime to let people know they are from the air force," he said.

Air Force commander Itthaporn Subha-wong enforces a strict code of conduct on air force personnel, AVM Monthon said.

The chief has threatened tough disciplinary action against any soldiers who are found to be members of the mafia.

AVM Monthon said ACM Itthaporn was waiting for the police's word on whether air force officers were involved in the assault and demolition.

However, a military source said an army soldier who goes by the alias of Seh Kai was responsible for the attack.

Seh Kai works for a notorious mafia figure with links to a major fresh market in Bangkok.