By: WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM
The National Anti-Corruption Commission has brought criminal charges against former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and his deputy prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh for their role in the Oct 7 crackdown on protesters last year.
Former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat (left) and his ex-deputy Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh face charges for their role in last year's fatal Oct 7 crackdown.
The two were among seven people, including senior police officers, who have been charged by the NACC with involvement in the crackdown on protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in front of parliament.
The other five are national police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwon, his deputy Viroj Phaholvej, metropolitan police chief Suchart Mueankaew and his deputies Likhit Klin-ouan and Akekarat Meepreecha.
The NACC has charged Pol Gen Patcharawat and Pol Gen Viroj with committing disciplinary offences. Pol Lt-Gen Suchart, Pol Maj-Gen Likhit and Pol Maj-Gen Akekarat have been charged with both criminal and disciplinary offences.
The national anti-graft body has not charged deputy metropolitan police chief Amnuay Nimmano as there was no evidence implicating him in the incident.
Pol Gen Patcharawat said he had been told of the charges and was ready to explain his position and answer all charges.
He insisted the operation to disperse the demonstrators on Oct 7 was not meant to harm anyone.
He said police were only acting on orders issued by their superiors and he would present those orders authorising the crackdown to the NACC as evidence.
"I did not commit any wrongdoing. I acted on the orders of my superiors. There are orders signed by two people," said Pol Gen Patcharawat, referring to Mr Somchai and Gen Chavalit.
"I will continue to do my job as national police chief and will not resign."
At dawn on Oct 7, riot police fired tear gas at thousands of PAD protesters who the night before had sealed the entrances to the parliament building to stop the Somchai government from delivering its policy statement to the House to legalise its administrative power.
In the evening of Oct 7, PAD demonstrators surrounded the Metropolitan Police Bureau offices and police there launched tear gas rounds at them.
When they turned back to surround parliament later in the evening, more tear gas was fired at them.
One demonstrator was killed and a second died in a mysterious explosion later in the day. Hundreds of protesters and police were injured.
Source: Bangkok Post
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