ID :
121059
Sun, 05/09/2010 - 15:43
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/121059
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Over two assailants involved in Bangkok weekend street killings
BANGKOK, May 9 (TNA) -- At least two gunmen were involved in the attacks near Sala Daeng intersection and investigators are gathering evidence and will seek warrants for arrest later, Bangkok police chief Pol Lt-Gen Santan Chayanon said Sunday.
Gen Santan said police now know the identities of the gunmen and found where they hid before firing on the police, military and civilians in the attacks.
Two police died and 13 persons were wounded in two incidents at 11pm Friday and 1:30am Saturday on Silom Road and at Sala Daeng intersection near a rally site of the anti-government protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship demanding Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to quit his post and call for fresh elections.
Gen Santan admitted that the latest incidents were related to several series of bloody violence which took place earlier. He said he believed that the shootings were meant to take revenge on police who had earlier arrested troublemakers.
Police are now investigating whether Army Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, suspended from duty for criticising his superior officers, was involved in the attacks because the officer had openly rejected the national reconciliation plan initiated by the prime minister, Gen Santan said.
Gen Khattiya is suspected to have been involved in several clashes between government forces and the UDD protesters and is a strong supporter of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
The number of police officers assigned to Silom Road, the scene of the latest incident, has been boosted threefold, and they are now armed to defend themselves and restore peace in the area. (TNA)
Gen Santan said police now know the identities of the gunmen and found where they hid before firing on the police, military and civilians in the attacks.
Two police died and 13 persons were wounded in two incidents at 11pm Friday and 1:30am Saturday on Silom Road and at Sala Daeng intersection near a rally site of the anti-government protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship demanding Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to quit his post and call for fresh elections.
Gen Santan admitted that the latest incidents were related to several series of bloody violence which took place earlier. He said he believed that the shootings were meant to take revenge on police who had earlier arrested troublemakers.
Police are now investigating whether Army Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, suspended from duty for criticising his superior officers, was involved in the attacks because the officer had openly rejected the national reconciliation plan initiated by the prime minister, Gen Santan said.
Gen Khattiya is suspected to have been involved in several clashes between government forces and the UDD protesters and is a strong supporter of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
The number of police officers assigned to Silom Road, the scene of the latest incident, has been boosted threefold, and they are now armed to defend themselves and restore peace in the area. (TNA)
