PAD guards face drugs, weapons rap
Written by Writer on Tuesday, November 11th, 2008
PAD guards face drugs, weapons rap
POST REPORTERS
Power deal protest About 350 people rally outside the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand office in Nonthaburi’s Bang Kruai district, protesting against four multi-billion-baht power plant projects in Chachoengsao, Saraburi, Ayutthaya and Rayong provinces. They demanded Egat disclose details about the deals it had made with its foreign partners.
Police yesterday added drugs charges against two People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) guards, who were caught on Sunday carrying small home-made explosives and other weapons.
Wattana Kitpithak and Thanit Khan-urai were arrested after police found 23 home-made bombs, three grenades, four bullets, knives and wooden sticks in their possession.
The two were also found to be carrying cards identifying them as guards of the anti-government PAD.
Pol Col Sarathoon Pradit, the chief of Samsen police, said the two also faced additional charges of using drugs after they tested positive to illegal substances in urine tests.
Police said the two denied all the charges.
They claimed that a man named Nok paid them 200 baht to drop all the contraband goods near a garbage bin in front of Ratchadamnoen boxing stadium.
However, police were not convinced by the suspects’ story.
Police will seek court approval today to detain the two for 12 days pending interrogation, said Pol Col Sarathoon.
PAD leader Pibhop Dhongchai yesterday claimed the group had dismissed the two men from their security service 10 days ago.
Kiartisak Rakpu, a taxi driver, who was also carrying a PAD volunteer guard card, was caught yesterday after explosions were heard near the rally venue at Government House.
Mr Kiartisak, from Chumphon province, was arrested in front of Ban Phitsanulok, the prime minister’s official residence, by Nang Loeng police.
A pen-shaped gun, a folding knife, metal water pipes and nine PAD volunteer cards were found in his possession.
He denied owning the items and claimed that a passenger asked him to take care of them.
He was taken to Nang Loeng police station for further questioning.
Bangkok Post
Tuesday November 11, 2008
