Investigators will press charges against People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protesters and an armed plainclothes police officer involved in a violent incident opposite the Army Club on Tuesday during a meeting between the caretaker government and the Election Commission.
Post Today photos
Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Kamronwit Thoopkrachang said a fact-finding committee had been set up to investigate the incident which left two people injured - protester Putthichai Wipa and Pol Snr Sgt Maj Kongpetch Petchkanha, a police investigator from Metropolitan Police Division 2.
The panel is chaired by Pol Maj Gen Chayut Thanataweerat, the deputy metropolitan police commander, who will continue the investigation, Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit said.
Pol Snr Sgt Maj Kongpetch opened fire at protesters who surrounded him and tried to search him after they suspected he was not a PDRC supporter. A bullet hit Mr Putthichai in the abdomen and exited via his back. The officer was later caught and beaten by the angry protesters.
Among the items seized from the officer were an 11mm pistol, a walkie-talkie and handcuffs.
The officer had been assigned to gather intelligence from the protest venue and he was wearing an orange motorcycle taxi driver's vest, number 35, at that time.
Pol Maj Gen Adul Narongsak, MBP deputy commissioner, earlier said the injured officer acted in self defence as the guards had tried to assault him, but the protesters argued that the guards merely tried to search him but the officer ran away and opened fire on the pursuing group before he was caught and beaten.
The officer’s commander, Pol Col Charoonkiat Pankiat, chief of the investigation unit at Metropolitan Police Division 2, admitted he had sent his subordinate to gather information from the protest to help police devise proper security measures, but insisted he did not order him to carry a weapon.
Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said it was suspicious that Pol Snr Sgt Maj Kongpetch had to carry a gun if his assignment was to “gather information” only. He called on Pol Col Charoonkiat to give a clearer explanation about the appearance of his subordinate at the PDRC rally site.
Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit said investigators had yet to conclude the charges they would bring against the protesters and the injured officer, adding Pol Snr Sgt Maj Kongpetch is still hospitalised and could not yet give information about the incident.
Meanwhile, investigations in the Jan 26 shooting in Bang Na which killed protest leader Sutin Tharatin are under way. Progress in the case is expected to be announced soon, he said.