Relations between France, Thailand unaffected by violent incidents

BANGKOK, December 14 (TNA) - Bilateral relations between France and Thailand remain normal, being unaffected by violent incidents in both countries earlier this week. Police Lieutenant General Surachet Hakpal, Chief of the Immigration Bureau, made the remarks, following his meeting with French Charge d'Affaires Olivier Richard in Bangkok on December 13. Police Lieutenant General Surachet told journalists that Paris has expressed its regret for a Thai fatality during a shooting incident near a Christmas market in France's northeastern Strasbourg City on December 11 and informed of French investigators' urgent moves in gathering the evidence of the case and hunting for the local gunman. The Thai Immigration Bureau chief quoted the French charge d'affaires as stating that only a Thai male tourist was initially found killed in the shooting attack last Tuesday, and that, like the policy of his bureau, Paris is providing assistance and facilitations for relatives of the Thai victim to bring the body of the demised back home, based on French regulations. A 29-year-old French suspect, identified as Cherif Chekatt, is believed to be the gunman opening fire to people in the French crowded area, killing at least two victims, including the Thai male tourist, identified as 45-year-old Anupong Suebsaman, and injuring about 12 others. The gunman was also reported wounded during the exchange of gunfire with the police. The Thai Immigration Bureau chief, meanwhile, expressed his regret on behalf of the Thai police and the government for a French fatality in a violent brawl on a personal issue between a senior Thai police and the French male tourist in Bangkok on December 12, causing the French man to have been shot dead. "I confirmed that the senior Thai police has been detained and prosecuted without any privilege and the French charge d'affaires expressed his sound understanding and satisfaction with the swift action and clarification by the Thai police", said the Thai Immigration Bureau chief. The 41-year-old French tourist, identified as Malik Djamel, was shot dead by the 49-year-old Thai police at a building in Bangkok's Sukhumvit area last Wednesday, shortly after their fist fight at a nearby restaurant. (TNA)