>> Rock star Sek Loso is facing arrest for firing gunshots into the air and the ground in front of the statue of King Taksin the Great in Nakhon Sri Thammarat.
The Provincial Court approved an arrest warrant for Sek Loso -- real name Seksan Sookpimay -- for firing the shots in the compound of Wat Khao Khun Phanom in Phrommakhiri district of the southern province.
Sek Loso streamed a video of his actions online via his Facebook account. The video showed him firing nine shots into the sky at 1am on Friday in the temple compound. The clip then went viral, sparking criticism and questions about why the police did not take legal action.
Pol Lt Col Pirom Ruangrung, deputy investigation chief at Phrommakhiri station, yesterday filed a complaint against Sek Loso over the incident.
Police deputy spokesman Pol Col Kritsana Pattanacharoen said investigators sought court approval for the arrest of the rocker on charges of illegal possession of a firearm, carrying it in a public area and firing shots into the air.
The court approved the warrant and Sek Loso will be brought to justice, Pol Col Kritsana said. If found guilty, Sek Loso could face a maximum five years in prison and a fine of up to 10,000 baht.
Firing shots on celebratory occasions has caused several injuries and deaths over the past few years. National police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda has instructed officers to ensure similar incidents do not occur elsewhere.
Sek Loso defended his actions in a Facebook post. "On that night, there was a worshipping ceremony to mark the 250th anniversary of King Taksin the Great's enthronement," he wrote. "If I did anything wrong, how could I dare sit and take a photo with the abbot of Wat Khao Khun Phanom and Nakhon Si Thammarat people?"