Former immigration police chief Surachate Hakparn yesterday denied that an incident in which gunshots fired at his car had been staged, saying the attack was related to the Immigration Bureau's controversial procurement of its biometric system.
His remark followed speculation the attack on his Lexus sedan on Monday night in Bang Rak district was staged to discredit a senior police officer.
Pol Lt Gen Surachate, also known as Big Joke, said police would be able to determine the motive behind the shooting when the suspects were arrested.
"There is one single motive behind the shooting -- those whose interest in the biometric system procurement was affected. When I was the IB chief, I cancelled it," he said.
He also said the incident has neither intimidated him nor dissuaded him from talking to the anti-graft agency should they wish to interview him.
The shooting was reported about 9.30pm on Monday after a gunman on a motorcycle fired multiple shots at his Lexus sedan which was parked in Soi Sarika near Suriwong Road. No one was injured in the shooting.
Pol Lt Gen Surachate was at a business meeting in a nearby restaurant at the time.
There were eight bullet holes on the left side of the vehicle, one in the front passenger door and seven in the rear door, according to police.
Security camera footage showed two men wearing crash helmets on a motorcycle without a licence plate in the area shortly before the shooting.
The motorcycle returned and the pillion rider fired shots at the left side of the vehicle.
The shooting drew wide public attention. Pol Lt Gen Surachate, a high-profile crime fighter, was chief of the Police Immigration Bureau when he was suddenly transferred from the IB to a civilian position at the Prime Minister's Office in April last year.
Deputy national police chief Wirachai Songmetta said yesterday police have not ruled out any motive and they will today interview Pol Lt Gen Surachate.
The former immigration police chief insisted in an initial interview that he has no business conflicts or personal disputes, he noted.
According to Pol Lt Gen Wirachai, there are likely more than two people involved and it is unlikely to be a case of mistaken identity.
"The attackers were scouting the area before the shooting. A few people know Pol Lt Gen Surachate uses this car and frequently visits the area. Whether or not the shooting was staged, police will also look into the possibility," he said.