Police apologise for Frenchman's murder

Police apologise for Frenchman's murder

Senior police talk to reporters after a police senior sergeant major allegedly murdered a French tourist at a condominium building on Sukhumvit Soi 13 in Bangkok on Wednesday. (Rescue Vajira photo)
Senior police talk to reporters after a police senior sergeant major allegedly murdered a French tourist at a condominium building on Sukhumvit Soi 13 in Bangkok on Wednesday. (Rescue Vajira photo)

Deputy police spokesman has apologised for the death of the French tourist gunned down by a policeman in Bangkok's Sukhumvit area on Wednesday, blaming the incident on a personal conflict.

"On behalf of the police, I express condolences to the family of the dead man and apologise. The incident was unexpected... It was a personal issue. I would like all policemen to leave personal issues behind and exercise more patience," Pol Col Kritsana Pattanacharoen, the deputy spokesman, said on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Pol Sen Sgt Maj Kantapong Huadsri, 49, shot Malik Djamel, 41, at a condominium building on Sukhumvit Soi 13, Bangkok, after losing a fist fight at a pub. He was sacked from the police force immediately pending prosecution. According to earlier reports, both were drunk and entered into a brawl.

Pol Col Kritsana said police objected to the temporary release of the suspect as it was a serious crime.

"I would like commanders to closely supervise the personal behaviours of their subordinates. The incident of police being suspects and abusing authority must not be allowed to recur," the deputy police spokesman said.

He admitted that the murder affected the image of police but he said police were seriously handling the case and would not protect the colleague who was the wrongdoer.

"Please have confidence in our safety assurances. I would like to tell tourists from all countries that Thailand is safe and Thai police and security officials are doing their best to serve them," Pol Col Kritsana said.

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